Queen of the South boss dismisses transfer speculation

Queen of the South manager Marvin Bartley has played down transfer speculation this week.

The Doonhamers have been linked with youngsters Josh McPake and Daniel Church in national papers but the manager gave the rumours short shrift.

When asked about the links with the two youngsters, Bartley replied: “I don’t know either of those two players so that’s the first I’m hearing.

“Somebody sent me a screenshot of it and I thought that’s probably the first time in years Queens have been linked with players and it makes national newspaper so someone is doing well with making up rumours.

“It’s that time of year isn’t it where people need to fill up columns. You’ll know about players when they sign for us because it will be announced.

“But if we go around dealing with rumours that will take up a lot of our time and none of us have time for that do we?”

Rumours surfaced when the Queens boss was spotted with former Celtic and Hibs defender Efe Ambrose at the Hamilton Accies versus Alloa game recently. Once again the manager said there was nothing in it.

He said: “Efe is a very good friend of mine. I brought him across when he signed for Livingston and I played with him at Hibs. We were just taking in the game.”

He joked: “Dougie Imrie was there as well, has anyone mentioned he might be signing as well? He wouldn’t be getting around that pitch now. I was there with a fair few people and Efe was one of them.

“We just took in the game, nothing more nothing less.”

This week Queens announced that Harry Cochrane has signed a new two-year deal with the club.

The 22-year-old said: “I am buzzing to sign with the club again.

“As soon as the gaffer wanted to re-sign me it was a no brainer. I feel I can learn a lot from