Football Season Guide

Clyde survived their first season back at League One level comfortably and will be aiming to replicate their relative success in their second campaign. Finances have dictated that they have cut their squad, with several regular players departing. Ray Grant’s move to Alloa is the biggest blow they will suffer, as he was a critical player in the heart of the field for them but, while they have otherwise allowed around half their first-team squad to depart, none of the other players to go were particularly essential to their well being. Indeed, they have kept their key man, David Goodwillie, whose off-field troubles mean that teams in higher leagues are not interested in signing him, despite his quality being far above League One level. He will again expect to regularly stand out. In terms of the players coming in, a new defence will be constructed. Tom Lang has arrived from Dunfermline and should prove a good base to build the rearguard around, with Matthew Shiels arriving from Rangers after a poor spell at Dumbarton last year. On the right, Lloyd Robertson should feature ahead of Jamie Bain, who was another player to underwhelm at this standard with Forfar. St Mirren youngsters Josh Jack and Jay Henderson have arrived on loan for the season, but it is the existing core of attacking players that Clyde will primarily look to. The likes of Chris Johnston, Ally Love and Mark Lamont were capable of more than they showed last season. If they do not produce more, the over-reliance on Goodwillie could be a problem that weighs heavily on the team.