‘Gers land Waugh & Donaldson on loan
Berwick Rangers are delighted to confirm the signings of both Callum Donaldson and Kevin Waugh from Hibernian, with both joining on development loan deals.
Right-sided full back Donaldson emerged towards the end of last season at Easter Road, as he began to become a regular on the first-team bench, though he is still yet to make his competitive debut for the Hibees.
Manager John Coughlin and his coaching staff will be hoping the young additions will prove astute additions to the team.
Waugh meanwhile can operate both from the left side of central defence and left back and is another who is highly-rated by Neil Lennon and his backroom team. Kevin, who spent the first six months of last season in the Lowland League with Gala Fairydean, has also featured on the first-team bench and is a former Scotland Under 16 international.
Boss John Coughlin said: “Kevin is a much-needed addition to our squad. The left channel was an area of the park we didn’t defend well enough last year – too many goals came from that area.”
Many of Hibernian’s staff believe Waugh’s better position to be in the centre of defence, though the manager will be hoping his versatility can assist the team wherever he plays.
“I wanted to add more balance to our defence this year and I think Kevin can help us do that. We’re looking at him hoping he can show us why his parent club rate him so highly.”
Coughlin also believes he’s made an exciting addition in the form of Callum Donaldson, as he continues: “I managed to see Hibs’ development team play a number of times last season, and he always stood out to me.
“He’s very much in the mold of Callum Crane in that his energy levels bring a lot to the capability of any team he plays in.”
Both were regulars in the Hibees development team which finished 4th last season, winning 19 of their 32 games.
The pair join Robby McCrorie (Rangers) and Andrew Irving (Hearts) in joining the club in loan deals, with the ‘Gers set to operate with a youthful outlook in the new campaign.
And the gaffer has been impressed with what he has seen from his other temporary additions so far, as he explains: “Robby has impressed everyone at the club with his attitude and approach. So far I have to say that he’s been a credit to Rangers Football Club in how he’s conducted himself.
“He’s an ambitious young lad who wants to do well and give himself the best possible chance to impress when he returns to Ibrox Stadium. He’s a tall and vocal goalkeeper with outstanding distribution.”
“Andy meanwhile is a central midfielder who I think could help us get a little more control in the centre of the park. I thought we turned over possession too easily at times last season and failed to sustain momentum moving forward.
“He’s very young but I’m confident he can hold his own. He’s got a terrific range of passing, is two-footed and his weight of pass is something I look forward to seeing more of. Of course, he’ll need to adapt to the physicality of our league and that could take a short while.”
The club would like to extend a warm welcome to Callum and Kevin and hope both go on to enjoy their stay at Shielfield Park.
