New Cove Rangers signing Jamie Semple wants to help the newly-promoted side challenge at the business end of League One.
Semple, who signed on loan from Motherwell on Tuesday and played in their 4-2 friendly win over Brechin City, believes the quality is there for Cove to continue their ascent through the Scottish leagues.
The young midfielder becomes their fourth summer signing after Leighton McIntosh, Adam Livingstone and Seb Ross, as they prepare for their maiden campaign in the third tier.
He already knows Livingstone, Tom Leighton and Broque Watson from their time in the ‘Well youth setup and will have his first training session at the Balmoral Stadium tonight.
Semple said: “I think the team can go up and challenge for the promotion spots, with the team they’ve got. They’ve got a winning mentality and a really good side.
“It’s definitely an ambitious club to be part of. You can tell with the promotions they’ve had that they want to be going up. Hopefully I can get in the team and help with goals and assists.
“I was impressed (on Tuesday night) as there’s a lot of good players and goalscorers. Broque was there for a good bit before lockdown and he was saying it was brilliant and I would love it here. The gaffer is professional and that made me want to go up there.
“Last year I knew Cove were interested in me, then I got injured in the January so I didn’t end up going anywhere. I came back in after lockdown fully-fit and the gaffer at Motherwell said Cove were interested. I wanted to go as they were interested in me the season before.
“I want to play regular first-team football and get more experience playing against men, for going back to Motherwell and hopefully getting in the first-team there. I saw Declan Glass did well last year, scored goals here and he’s now getting games at Dundee United. Hopefully I can do the same.”
Cove will be challenging alongside three full-time teams in League One, with Falkirk, Airdrieonians and recently-relegated Partick Thistle all likely to be vying for top spot.
The 19-year-old – a Scotland youth cap – has played six times for Motherwell’s senior team, making his debut in April 2019 against Dundee. He came on in the second half against Brechin at Glebe Park on Tuesday, with Cove triumphing thanks to goals from Dan Higgins, Ross and McIntosh (two).
Semple added: “That was my first time seeing the boys, so it was good to get in and see how they play. Over pre-season I’ve not really played; I’ave had two 45 minutes and one 90 minutes. I definitely need a couple more (games) to get me up to speed.
“I would say I’m technically decent and I like getting on the ball and playing forward passes, getting shots off and making things happen in the final third. I can go back up the park as well and put tackles in.”