By IAIN COLLIN – Capital City Press
RAY McKinnon has expressed his delight at adding former Celtic defender Lewis Toshney to his new-look Raith Rovers squad.
McKinnon, who revealed centre-half Paul Watson would not be signing a new deal, also confirmed he is hopeful of securing highly-rated Dundee youngster Craig Wighton on a season-long loan deal.
After leaving Celtic last summer, Toshney spent the first half of the season with Ross County following trials with Hearts and Hibs.
However, the 23-year-old was freed by the Premiership outfit in January and saw out the campaign at Cowdenbeath. where he suffered relegation to League One.
McKinnon, who has already snapped up Kyle Benedictus, Ryan McCord, Mitch Megginson and Darren Petrie, is thrilled with his latest acquisition.
He said: “We have signed Lewis Toshney, who was at Celtic, Ross County and Cowdenbeath.
“He is a big right centre-half, right full-back so he will give us cover in that area. He is a young lad, a super player and a great athlete.
“I am really delighted we have tied him up.”
Wighton has previously been linked with interest from the likes of Sunderland, Swansea City and Southampton thanks to some impressive displays.
However, with Dundee having secured the capture of Rory Loy and Kane Hemmings this summer, it seems Dundee may be willing to allow the 17-year-old to gain greater first-team experience on loan.
McKinnon had the teenager at Brechin City for a month last season and is hopeful of being reunited with the Scotland under-17 cap.
He added: “It is not done and dusted but we are interested in him. If he is available and we get him, then we will be delighted.
“However, he is not our player and, at the end of the day, it is nothing to do with me, it is to do with Dundee and (manager) Paul (Hartley).
“I had him at Brechin for a month and he was great. There is a lot of hype about him and he still needs to do it.
“But we would be delighted if we got a hold of him.”
McKinnon was speaking as Raith launched their new strip, which is sponsored by world-renowned crime writer Val McDermid.
