Shotts Bon Accord boss John McKeown has challenged latest signing Adam Hunter to fulfil his true potential at Hannah Park next season.

The former Rangers, Ayr United and Arbroath midfielder was an integral part of the McKeown-steered Cumnock side that finished fifth top of the Super Premier Division standings as well as runners-up in both the New Coin Holdings and Ayrshire Cups in the season before last.

It's thought he has jumped at the opportunity to be reunited with his erstwhile gaffer whose ousting from the Ayrshire hotseat last October led to him taking up a coaching post with Cambuslang Rangers prior to being revealed as the new Shotts manager at the end of May.

The intervening five weeks have seen the one-time Stenhousemuir stopper going about the business of tweaking his playing squad with Hunter his sixth confirmed new signing.

"Adam is a quality player and on his day is capable of being one of the top midfielders in the Junior game," said McKeown.

“He’s only 25 and his best years are still ahead of him so it’s a real feather in our cap to get him on board because I am well aware he was on the radar of several top-flight clubs.

“They will no doubt question his motives for coming here and think he is taking a step down but I’m convinced he can develop further at Hannah Park and get the best out of himself as well as improving Shotts as a team.”

Ruggy (a nickname derived from him being born and raised in Rutherglen) has gone back to another of his former clubs Wishaw Juniors to snap up centreback Garry Watt and he has also tapped into his stint at Somervell Park to persuade Cambuslang Rangers duo Jordan Love and Jordan Halsman to put pen to paper.

His other newcomers are East Kilbride Thistle forward line prospect Scott McKean and seasoned goalkeeper Derek Barnes who will assume a dual role as goalkeeping coach while also competing for the gloves with Shotts No.1 Johnny Murdoch.

“There are further signings in the pipeline which for various reasons I cannot disclose at this juncture but I’m happy with how things are progressing on the transfer front up to now and feel we have a decent squad coming together,” added McKeown.

Ruggy was not for revealing names of his targets, however terracing whispers linking him to yet another Wee Gers pair Dale Simeon and team captain Kris Gebbie have proved unfounded after both players penned deals to join arch rivals Rutherglen Glencairn who have also sensationally snapped up Cumnock midfielder Del Esplin – less than 48 hours after he was announced as a new signing by Glenafton.

It transpires that the 27 year-old out-of-contract ace had a change of heart in the immediate aftermath of agreeing terms with the Glens and his desire to play closer to his home in Cambuslang saw him opt instead to return to his first Junior club from whom then Nock boss McKeown persuaded him to obtain a transfer in 2015.

Meanwhile, yet another ex-Wishaw player – centre-back Barry Ely –a veritable stalwart in the Lang’s promotion-winning side last season has become the latest acquisition at Albion Rovers whose newly-installed manager John Brogan was previously at The Beltane helm.

Brogey’s need to put together a team in time for the Senior season getting underway has triggered raids on another couple of his former clubs; Blantyre Vics, for defender Alan Murdoch as well as Lanark United, for goalkeeper Gareth Halford and young striking prospect Ronan Kearney, while his vast knowledge of the Junior ranks has also resulted in him snapping up versatile Pollok defender Bryan Wharton and top-scoring Larkhall Thistle hitman Graham Gracie .