JOHNSTONE Burgh manager Jamie McKim is expecting his defence to be even stronger next season now that Ross Geddes has rejoined the club after 18 months in Australia.

Geddes was an ever present in his previous short spell with the Keanie Park outfit, scoring nine goals from defence and cutting an imposing figure in the Burgh back line.

McKim has told Gazette Sport he was so confident Geddes would later return to the club that he remained a member of the Burgh players’ group chat on social media.

He said: “I knew when I first signed him a couple of years ago that I was only getting three or four months from him because he was going away.

“We know what type of player he is and what he can bring to the changing room and we were really keen to keep him.

“We knew he was going to come back at some point and we never actually removed him from the players’ group chat, so he was still there but in the background.

“He’s got a wee bit of work to do on his conditioning to get himself up to speed but he is a great addition.

“He’s really strong, physical and commanding.

“You can’t have enough players like that in your team.

“He’s also left-sided, which will add balance to the back line.”

McKim is confident that, despite not being completely match fit, Geddes will be firing on all cylinders before long.

“He wasn’t playing much when he was out there [in Australia] but, having seen him in training on Saturday and spoken to him then, I think he’s got this hunger and desire to get in as good of a condition as he can and get back to where he was,” said McKim.

“If he can do that, he’ll be a star for us this season.”

Burgh’s defensive record was truly outstanding as they secured the West Region League Two title last season, conceding a measly 11 goals in their 14 matches.

And McKim expects Geddes to be an asset at both ends of the pitch once the 2020/21 campaign gets underway.

“He is brilliant at getting on the end of the ball and is a danger in both boxes,” said McKim. “He’s a good lad and he’ll fit into the squad perfectly.”

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