Patience has paid off for Rob Roy manager Stewart Maxwell after he pulled off the sensational signing of goalscoring midfielder Shaun Fraser this week.

Maxi had failed in an audacious attempt to sign the 28-year-old from Irvine Meadow around

last December but promised he would wait until the season was over to get his man.

So he was understandably beaming with delight last night when his second-time-around transfer bid proved successful.

And the much sought after Fraser - Pollok, Petershill and Kilbirnie Ladeside were allegedly among those vying for his signature over the summer months - says he cannot wait to pull back on the boots after a close season of uncertainty over his future.

He said: "It’s true that I did enter into contract talks with a number of clubs, but I was really impressed by the approach of Maxi and his assistant Gordon Moffat, who came across strongly as wanting me more than the others.

“That’s ultimately what made my mind up to put pen to paper for Rob Roy as I just felt the move to Kirkintilloch was right for me, even though there were more lucrative monetary rewards on offer elsewhere.

“Craig Buchanan, who played alongside me at Meadow Park, is another of their summer recruits and I'm well acquainted with Scott Walker and Rob Roy skipper Gary McMenamin so I don’t envisage taking too long to settle into my new surroundings.

“And work commitments have kept me busy throughout the summer so I'm straining at the leash for some playing action again.”

Ambitious gaffer Maxi reckons it’s a real feather in the Rabs cap to have pipped a number of rival Junior outfits for the playing ace who can also boast Queen's Park and Ashfield among his former clubs.

He revealed: "Moff made the initial approach to Shaun when I was on holiday and he came away thinking the player was genuinely interested about the prospect of coming here.

“I then got in touch on my return and all the vibes were still good. However, a slight doubt came into my thoughts when Shaun asked for last weekend to consider the various signing offers that he was mulling over in his mind.

“Deep down I reckoned Rob Roy wouldn’t fare too well against the financial clout of our rivals for Shaun’s signature.

"So you could have knocked me down with a feather when he telephoned on Sunday night to say he was coming on board.

“Landing someone with his scoring qualities means our midfield options are looking terrific and I just feel Shaun can be a massive player for us.”

Elsewhere on the transfer scene comes word of Irvine Meadow boosting their playing hand with the additions of one-time Kilwinning Rangers midfielder Stuart Hannah as well as ex-Kilsyth Rangers star turn P.J.Dolan who was restricted to a mere handful of appearances last season on the books of Hurlford United.

And one hears West Region kingpins Auchinleck Talbot have fixed up ex-Airdrie stopper Grant Drummond after the 21 year old served up an impressive display as a trialist in the 2-1 weekend victory over Newtongrange Star.

The pre-season friendly match-ups promise to be entertaining tonight with Renfrew hosting the visit of Scottish Cup holders Beith , Wishaw awaiting the visit of much changed Shettleston and Arthurlie facing Kilsyth Rangers , managed by ex- Dunterlie defender Keith Hogg.

PLAYING TONIGHT (various kick-off times): Petershill v Queens Park Under 20’s, Arthurlie v Kilsyth Rangers, Blackburn Utd v Royal Albert, Blantyre Vics v St Anthony's, Craigmark v Auchinleck Talbot, Cumnock v East Kilbride Thistle, Maryhill v Black Star, Annbank Utd v Glenafton, Wishaw v Shettleston, Renfrew v Beith, Johnstone Burgh v Yoker Athletic, Thorniewood Utd v Colville Park, Milngavie Wanderers v Rossvale.