Brechin City boss Ray McKinnon has moved into the transfer market to sign two young players on loan from St Johnstone and Dundee United.

19 year old defender Gareth Rodger joins the club from St Johnstone where he has been a regular in their Under 19 squad, being promoted to the bench in a number of Saints SPL games. Gareth joined up at McDiarmid Park from Hutchison Vale in July 2010.

19 year-old attacking midfielder Ryan Ferguson joins up from Dundee United.

Kirriemuir-born Ryan signed for United in January 2010 direct from his local youth team Kirriemuir Boys Club. Ryan was an ever-present in the SPL Youth League last season and was also invited to join the Scotland Under 18 Training Camps during that season.

Ray spoke enthusiastically about both players and feels that they will be good acquisitions for the team.

“ I am obviously very much aware of the capabilities of both of those young lads and they definitely have something to offer the team as we step up our push to win a play-off position,” he said.

“ With the number of games we have coming up it was important that we added to the squad to compensate for any injuries and suspensions that might arise and I have no doubt that both Gareth and Ryan will make an impact. With Alex Pursehouse and Greg Cameron also signing recently, it means that we have the players in place who can come in and do a job for the team as and when required.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s fixture against the new league champions at Palmerston Park, the manager said,

“ It’s important to remember that we have lost only two league games since I was appointed, both, ironically, to Queen of the South. Queens are an excellent side and worthy champions as they proved on Wednesday night, but our record against the other sides in the Second Division has been excellent and there’s no reason why that can’t continue.”

“ We’ll go down to Palmerston tomorrow and give it our best shot but our main objective remains winning a play-off position and if the lads show the same attitude and determination that they’ve displayed since I took over, there’s no reason why that cannot be achieved in the coming weeks.”