BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
Former Hearts striker Gordon Smith has signed for Australian side ECU Joondalup – and joined Steven McGarry at the second-tier club.
Smith flew ‘Down Under’ on Tuesday after negotiating his release from Dumbarton to chase his dream of playing abroad.
The 24-year-old will be a team-mate of former St Mirren, Ross County and Motherwell striker McGarry at the Perth club.
McGarry, who moved to Australia to join A-League side Perth Glory in 2010, has joined the National Premier Leagues outfit as player-coach after combining playing for amateur side Gwelup Croatia with coaching the Glory under-20s last year.
The capture of Smith, who spent the opening half of this season on loan at Cowdenbeath and will help coach his new club’s youths, was yesterday hailed by Joondalup boss Dale McCulloch.
He said: “Everyone knows we’ve struggled in front of goal for the last two seasons and Gordon will give us a massive boost in the final third.
“He comes with a wealth of experience in Scottish football and has an eye for goal, which will be vital for us this season.
“We have been creating chances, but not converting them, so with Gordon coming on board, along with Steven McGarry, it will really give us a real target up top, which is pleasing.
“He will also work with our academy sides and it will be great for the youngsters to have such a professional player working with them.”
