RENFREW keeper Graham Black has been handed the perfect chance to prove himself to the Frew management team according to boss Martin Ferry.

First choice keeper Stephen O’Neill departed Western Park on transfer deadline day, heading to join Hurlford, leaving Renfrew in the lurch with no time to draft in another keeper.

However, O’Neill’s decision to leave has handed the 24-year-old Black a chance to cement his place in Ferry and Colin Clark’s plans for next season as he is the only registered keeper on the books.

Ferry said: “Obviously it is a blow to lose Stephen at this stage.

“With him leaving it leaves us with Graham who will have to make the step up to a starting spot.

“He played in goals at the start of the season but he struggled in some games and we had to let him sit out.

“But it is a fantastic chance for him to prove to us that we don’t have to bring someone else in and that we can rely on him.

“Hopefully a run in the team will help his confidence and he can show us just how good he is.” With Hurlford in to the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup, O’Neill’s decision to make the move to Blair Park came as no surprise to Ferry.

Ferry continued: “Stephen has been a great servant to Renfrew and he goes away with everybody’s best wishes.

“I suppose he isn’t getting any younger and you can’t stand in his way when he has the opportunity of going to the final of the Junior Cup if Hurlford can progress.

“I have absolutely no complaints about that but it is just a shame that the timing hasn’t allowed us a chance to bring in a replacement.” Renfrew travel to Holm Park to face John McAuley’s Yoker on Saturday. A win for Frew could move them above Rutherglen Glencairn as they bid to escape relegation from the Super League First Division, kick-off 2pm.