BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH manager Gary Naysmith has raided former club East Fife to snap up promising defender Scott Mercer.
The 21-year-old, who came through the ranks at Dunfermline, was a mainstay for the Fifers as Naysmith guided them to the League Two title last term and has continued to perform admirably this season, making 26 appearances.
However, the lure of full-time football has proved too good to turn down for Mercer, who has penned an 18-month deal with the Palmerston Park outfit after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.
Mercer becomes Queens’ fourth signing of the January transfer window, following the arrivals of John Rankin, Joe Thomson and Dom Thomas and could be handed a mouth-watering debut against Dundee United this weekend.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Dumbarton have bolstered their defensive options by swooping for 19-year-defender Tom Lang.
The former Rangers youngster has been available on a free transfer since he was released by the Ibrox outfit last summer and spent a period on trial with Dundee United earlier this season.
However, he has now found a new club after penning a contract until the end of the current campaign at The Rock. Lang, who will go straight into the squad to face Hibs this weekend, subject to clearance, tweeted: “Delighted to be back! Looking forward to getting started with Hibs at home this weekend.”
East Fife have signed midfielder Nicki Paterson until the end of the season after the former Motherwell and Hamilton man ended a six year stint in North America that has included spells with Charleston Battery, Ottawa Fury and Indy Eleven.
Frank McKeown has left Stranraer to join League One rivals Alloa Athletic as manager Jim Goodwin attempts to strengthen the Wasps’ promotion push.
Cowdenbeath, meanwhile, sealed the loan capture of versatile Falkirk youngster Liam Henderson. The former Hearts kid, who can play across defence and midfield, could make his debut against Edinburgh City on Saturday as the Blue Brazil seek to lift themselves off the foot of League Two.
