Kenneth Signs 3 Year Deal

Another massive coup has been pulled off by Mark McGhee and Bristol Rovers today as, like reported over the weekend, Garry Kenneth has signed a 3 year deal subject to a medical.

It's a long-term contract for a player I believe will become a Gas stalwart in the future. His monster frame and presence will make him a formidable opponent for any League Two striker and having played for Dundee United and Scotland in the past few years it's safe to assume he is potential captain material. The fact he's been tied down for 3 years shows just how highly MM rates him and Nick Higgs clearly trusts his judgement.

McGhee is understandably thrilled to have captured Kenneth and said: "Garry is a player that, even a few months ago, I would never have imagined being able to bring to Bristol Rovers.

"He has the potential to be a player who can be a great success here, and if we are lucky enough to get to the next level he can be a success there and beyond.

"I am going to get him to work hard and get fitter and stronger than he has ever been. My ambition is get him back in to the Scotland squad."

He is a player who Dundee United valued at around £2 million 2 years ago following interest from Blackpool of the Championship, but he appeared to lose his way somewhat after failing to earn a move south and didn't live up to his high standards last year. He informed United that he was going to leave at the end of his contract this summer and, had he performed as well as he could have in the SPL in 2011-2012, he'd be moving to a second tier club. Fortunately for us his inconsistency with Dundee United has enabled us to sign a top player who is still only 25 years of age.

Nick Higgs stated his delight with the deal to make Kenneth a Rovers player and believes that we are now 'building a side with a fantastic mix of youth and experience capable of challenging for promotion this year'. Confidence from the very top of the club that is exuding out to supporters now who, despite feeling frustrated earlier in the summer, now feel very optimistic about our chances in 2013.

Make no mistake we've made some incredible signings at this level and that's testament to the vision and ambition show by the club in regards to the stadium and there's a definite feel-good factor about Gasheads at the moment. Despite that the players we've attracted here may still have shunned us had the experienced and respected Mark McGhee not been our boss, so he's certainly a major pulling factor in attracting top players. He gets the best out of his team and I'm more confident than I've ever been that Rovers can have a very successful season. There are more signings to come and once they arrive we can be positive heading in to the games against Ipswich and Oxford United in a couple of weeks' time.