Renfrew welcome back cup winner Shearer

Nov 29 2008 by David Rinaldi, Paisley Daily Express

RENFREW last night pulled off a coup by luring Scottish Cup-winning captain Neil Shearer back to Western Park.

The 33-year-old had been training with the ’Frew in recent weeks.

And after impressing the management trio of Dougie Mitchell, Colin Clark and Martin Ferry the big defender put pen to paper and goes straight into the squad for today’s relegation battle with Port Glasgow.

Shearer was a firm favourite among the ’Frew faithful after skippering the club to their famous Scottish Cup victory over Carnoustie Panmure in 2001.

And he will plug the gap at the heart of the Western Parkers backline following the release of experienced centre-half Derek Carson earlier in the week.

The experienced stopper left Largs Thistle at the beginning of the season and had been without a club since this move.

He has also had spells in the past with Beith and Kilbirnie Ladeside.

’Frew chief Mitchell was ecstatic at the capture of Shearer and believes he will help rid the club of the defensive frailties that have cost them dearly this season.

He told Express Sports: “Neil is signed, sealed and delivered and we’re absolutely delighted as he’ll be a big signing for this club.

“Neil had a kind of falling out with the game for one reason or another and stopped playing.

“But when Martin and Colin made it known to me that they were looking to shore up their backline we got hold of Neil’s number and got him down to training.

“He was enjoying it. Martin and Colin asked him what his feelings were and he indicated he was very willing to come back into the game.

“We’re delighted he’s back and back at Renfrew.

“He’s happy to be back as well.

“Obviously he was captain when we won the Scottish Cup and he brings bags of experience with him.

“He hasn’t played since the start of the season.

“But he’s been keeping himself trim and he looks reasonably fit.

“He goes straight into the squad for the game with Port Glasgow.

“We had hoped to sign him earlier in the week but he had a stomach bug and missed training on Monday.

“His whole family actually caught it so I don’t know if it was down to a dodgy Chinese they had or the red wine they washed it down with.

“He was still a wee bit under the weather at training on Wednesday night and we’ll see how he is on Saturday but he should be all right.”

Mitchell believes Shearer’s arrival comes just at the right time as the ’Frew battle to haul themselves out of the drop zone in the coming weeks with four home games in succession.

They host basement side Port this afternoon before taking on fellow strugglers Annbank next Saturday.

Then promotion-chasing Shotts come to Western Park, with Girvan following seven days later.

Mitchell added: “The next few weeks are absolutely massive for us and we’ll be looking to start that run with a win against Port Glasgow.

“They’ve just come into the league, and deservedly so as they’re a smashing wee team, but they’ve had a wee bit of managerial turmoil down there and haven’t had the best of starts.

“A lot of their boys will be hurting so we’ll need to be up for it.

“It’s a massive game for us and we need to take three points – no ifs or buts about it.

“The players will treat them with the utmost respect and although we beat them in the League Cup earlier in the season we know they’ll be a tough nut to crack.

“They certainly won’t roll over so we’re in for a hard 90 minutes.”

The ‘Frew will also have another old Western Park favourite among their ranks this afternoon as Alan Coulsh will play as a trialist for the club for the rest of the season as he looks to win a deal for the 2009/10 campaign.

Chris Loughlin is also back in contention for a place after recovering from ligament damage.

But Alex Smith is suspended and club captain Greg Miller will be sidelined for the next four to six weeks after suffering knee ligament damage in last Saturday’s clash with Lanark.

Gordon Cochrane is also doubtful with a hamstring strain.

l Match odds: Renfrew 4/6, draw 13/5, Port Glasgow 3/1.