Former Rangers starlet Daniel Finlayson has been snapped up on loan by Kevin Thomson at Kelty Hearts.
Finlayson was part of the Academy setup at Rangers for several years and captained the club’s U18s to the Scottish FA Youth Cup in 2019.
In February 2020, he was sent out on loan to partner club Orange County SC but upon his return to Glasgow around six months later, he moved to St Mirren, initially on loan.
During the summer, the Buddies took up their option to sign the Northern Ireland youth international – who can play at centre-back or right-back – for an undisclosed fee, but he’s only made two appearances in all competitions so far this campaign.
With manager Jim Goodwin clearly wary of harming Finlayson’s development, he’s allowed him to head out on loan to Kelty until the end of the season.
The Fife club are currently top of SPFL League Two and the 20-year-old will be tasked with helping former Gers midfielder and B team coach Thomson to his first promotion as a manager.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Finlayson told the Kelty Hearts TV YouTube channel. “It’s been a long time coming I think, I spoke to the gaffer over the last couple of days trying to get it sorted and it’s brilliant to be here.”
“I’m delighted to be back playing games and to have a chance, with a good team, to do something good this season.”
Later in the interview, he revealed that a strong working relationship with Thomson formed during their time together at Rangers and an appreciation for his style of play were key factors behind the decision to move to New Central Park.
Finlayson could make his debut in a home fixture against fellow promotion contenders Annan Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
He won’t be the only former Rangers player turning out for Kelty, with another ex-Ger playing a starring role under Thomson so far this season.
