Rutherglen Glencairn summer rebuild starts with keeper capture

Rutherglen Glencairn boss Joe Pryce has signed goalkeeper Chris White from Stirling Albion on a permanent deal.

The 18-year-old was on loan towards the end of last season and impressed, ultimately deciding to join Glens after leaving Forthbank.

White is one of “five or six” that Pryce won’t announce until contracts are finished at their previous clubs at the end of June, but says he’ll be working with a senior squad of “20 or 21” as he targets promotion from the West of Scotland First Division.

Pryce said: “Chris White, the goalkeeper we had on loan from Stirling Albion last season, has agreed to sign.

“He did brilliantly before the end of the season and we were keen to keep him, even if it was on loan, but he’s decided to join us as our player next year and we’re delighted with that.

“Chris was happy to come here. He came for the last few months of the season, really enjoyed it, and fitted in immediately with the group here.

“We’re delighted to have him. Chris has a big future in the game, and hopefully we can help him develop here. We’re looking to go with 20 or 21 players if you can, because there will be holidays, work commitments, injuries – but we do have the 21s and 20s underneath that, and we know that these lads will be able to step up to the mark, no problem.”

Pryce has targeted a step up to the Premier League and wants at least a top-three place, though knows that will be difficult in a league that sees Arthurlie, Kirkintilloch, Rob Roy and Irvine Meadow dropping down from the top flight, and Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Vale of Clyde and Cumbernauld United rising from the Second Division.

He said: “We just missed out on promotion, this season coming we’re going to have a real go at it, though it’s going to be a