Johnstone Burgh boss Jamie McKim believes the signing of Kyle Lafferty can help take the club to the next level.

It’s been a memorable summer so far at Keanie Park who completed the signing of the Northern Ireland International last week, adding to a squad that already contains ex-Scotland and Rangers midfielder Graham Dorrans.

Lafferty has played for the likes of Rangers, Norwich City and Palermo in his career, netting over 100 goals in his career for club and represented his country at the European Champions in 2016.

A host of West of Scotland Football League stars have also signed for the club as they target promotion into the Premier Division.

Burgh released a statement on Sunday evening confirming that they had been taken over by a recently formed consortium, led by investors from fields in healthcare and engineering, both of whom have a love of the game and family ties to the local area and the club.

The Gazette:

McKim has hit back at those criticising the clubs ambitions and hailed the attitude of his two marquee signings for the way they have approached their time with the club so far.

He told Gazette Sport: “I really feel since last week when we brought Kyle in that there has been a lot of negative press, and I try not to read it but you get sent things on.

“If it was me I would sit back and think it’s a great signing in football terms.

“With the way this country is, and the ugly part of the West of Scotland, people always look at other sides of it and I get it.

“We have signed a top forward and from the meetings we have had, a top guy as well.

“I’m happy with him and I think with what is surrounding the club just now there was something needed in terms of a statement so everybody understands the balance and the dynamic of what we are trying to do and the ambitions of the club.

READ MORE: Johnstone Burgh sign ex-Rangers star Kyle Lafferty

“Graham and Kyle aren’t guys who we are just going out there and saying they are good players so let’s bring them in. They fit into what we are trying to achieve.

“They are top players, good guys and have been great around the place so far already.

“We’ve only had Kyle in one night so far but he was great amongst the boys and Graham has been in for a while now but he is the same.

“They are invested in what we’re trying to do and are good people as well as footballers and that’s what we’re about.

“This is all about the club, the community and the kids, and this is about trying to generate a bit of excitement in the project.”