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After successfully negotiating a pay-off from former employers Dundee United, McLaren arrived at the club he always wanted to play for. Well, not quite, but his grit, determination and effort last season plainly displayed his desire to play first team football; thankfully, he will do so with us next season.
It seemed for a while that McLaren's loan spell - in which he played 14 games, netted three times and set up many more - would be the beginning and end of his career at the Tail o' the Bank. 'Ton boss Jim McInally was reluctant to play the waiting game with Andy for too long when the possibility of other signings on our limited budget was still there. It seems now, however, that McLaren was "ready" to join Morton before certain other targets, one of whom was rumoured to be Craig Easton.
McLaren's arrival is as encouraging as the failure to land Easton is disappointing; that said, consolation is at hand in the form of Alex Walker. The former Rangers youth spent a few months on loan at Clyde last season, being played in many positions ranging from defender to winger. Opinion was split at Broadwood as to his best role and his ability to play well in a physical league; Morton chairman DDF Rae seems not to share these concerns by describing the youngster as a "strong, aggressive" (pictured) midfielder at home in the "mid-field holding position." With Morton lacking such a player for most of the last few seasons, with any luck, Walker will prove to be the missing link in our team.
In fact, a link may still be missing. Morton are still without a left-back; indeed, no recognised left-sided players at all currently exist in our first team squad. Despite this, Jim McInally regards his squad as complete and is getting ready to concentrate on pre-season training. Eyebrows may be raised at some of his signings, but it's worth remembering that only one short season ago, we would have never seen Peter Weatherson as a right back; this is a position he's now made his own. Perhaps Jim has seen another diamond in the rough during training. Time will tell.