New signings give Montrose’s season a real shot in the arm

Two new arrivals look to have instilled a sense of optimism at Links Park this month as Montrose bid for a late surge back into the Ladbrokes League 2 play-off places.

After a bright start The Gable Endies went on a run of six defeats and two draws in their eight games between November 7 and January 2 but look to have turned a corner of late with seven points taken from the last nine available.

Paul Hegarty’s men are now just four points off the play-off spots and utility man Ross Campbell has hailed the signing of two experienced heads as reason to believe in bigger and better times ahead at the Angus club.

“There’s a bit of a boost with a couple of players coming in with Jamie Clarke and Chris Templeman signing, so we’re feeling a bit more positive,” he told the Forfar Dispatch.

“I know Templeman really well from Forfar, he’s a lovely person and a fantastic footballer. Obviously his time at Forfar has finished so we were delighted to bring him in and use his experience.

“That’s a couple of players over 30 coming in and that helps the young boys. We’ve got great energy and enthusiasm but that bit of experience really adds to the squad. With boys hopefully coming back from injury then the next few weeks will hopefully look a bit brighter than they have.”

Clarke certainly marked his arrival in style by getting on the scoresheet and running the show as his new side came out 2-1 winners over Clyde.

Templeman meanwhile has plenty of experience at a higher level, having netted 48 League 1 goals in 161 games for Forfar Athletic in the last six years and could be an excellent signing by Hegarty.

Keeping the goals out will be the real key for Montrose though, having shipped more goals in this league this season than any other team barring East Stirling.

The fact that they have played at least two games more than the two sides beneath them in the league, could mean it’s risky to try to run before they could walk with a price of just 10/3 on them  finishing bottom.

Nevertheless, with the results taking an upturn for the better and two new signings proving a lift for the players, could a late play-off push be on the cards?

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets