Alan Reynolds says Bohemians’ performances in recent weeks are a cause of optimism but says they will have to improve even further to get past UCD in their Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup quarter-final at the UCD Bowl tomorrow.

Bohs go into the game after what many fans feared would be a gruelling run of league fixtures, with home and away encounters against table toppers Shelbourne sandwiched either side of a Dublin derby against Shamrock Rovers.

But Bohs shared the points with Shels on both occasions, and claimed all three at home to Rovers.

Reynolds’ side went into that run under pressure on the back of a bruising 3-2 home defeat against Waterford having led 2-0, and needed penalties to get past Kerry in their last-16 tie in the FAI Cup.

And that result in Tralee alone will have focused the minds ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Belfield to take on William O’Connor’s Students, who are flying high in the First Division in second place, eyeing promotion through the play-offs and who went to the Showgrounds and claimed a 2-0 win against Sligo Rovers in the last round.

Reynolds said: “We are pleased with our performances over the last number of weeks but there is nobody in there patting ourselves on the back.

“We still have a lot of work to do, and we were disappointed we couldn’t turn those draws against Shelbourne into wins because I think we are top in both.

“But they were very good performances, with a lot of good play and positives to take out of all three games, and I think that our supporters can see now what we are capable of and we are all working towards.

“This will be another difficult game though. We are coming up against a very good team in UCD, and we will have to improve our performances even further because they are a confident side, in good form and flying high in the First Division.

“They have excellent young players and they have experience there too. You only have to look at their result away to Sligo Rovers in the last round to see how good they are, so we have analysed them extensively, and we know we will have to respect them.

“They are at home, they will have looked back at our game against Kerry and will be looking at this game as another big opportunity for them, so it is up to us to be at the very top of our game.”

Reynolds will be without the suspended Dawson Devoy after he picked up yellow cards in both the previous rounds as the FAI today confirmed that the Independent Appeal Committee rejected Shamrock Rovers’ latest appeal regarding his eligibility for Bohs’ second-round win in July.

But Bohs will also be without midfielder Adam McDonnell and striker Filip Piszczek, who are both sidelined with ankle injuries, with Reynolds adding: “It’s disappointing for both of them. Adam has been a really important player for us over the last while, and he’s been really in form.

“He was forced off against Shels last week and the good news is that it is not as bad as it looked on the night, but he will still be out for a number of weeks, and it is a big blow for us losing a player of his quality.

“It’s very unfortunate for Filip too. He got a really important goal for us against Shamrock Rovers two weeks ago and he wanted to build on that but he took a knock to his ankle later in the game and unfortunately that is going to rule him out for a number of weeks now too.

“So we are missing important players in Dawson, Adam and Filip, and we need those who come into the team to step up to the challenge now. We’ve had a positive couple of weeks but we need to build on that.

“We’ll bring another massive crowd over with us for this game and everyone comes into the team, and everyone on the pitch and off it, knows how big this game is for us. We all have our part to play.”

Team news

Dawson Devoy is suspended, and Bohemians are also without Adam McDonnell and Filip Piszczek, who are both suffering with ankle injuries. Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley remain out.

The Bohemians breakfast club had Dalymount Park rocking on Sunday morning and Alan Reynolds is hoping his side can build on that when they host Shelbourne at the more familiar time of 7.45pm on Friday night.

Sunday’s 11.30am kick-off saw Bohs claim the Dublin derby bragging rights when they came from behind to beat Shamrock Rovers 2-1 with goals from Ross Tierney and Filip Piszczek.

That win was a long time coming and the final whistle was met with delight and relief, but Bohs will have their work cut out to build on it when league leaders Shelbourne make the short trip from Drumcondra to provide the opposition at Dalymount Park.

The sides drew 1-1 at Tolka Park just a fortnight ago, with Reynolds’ men frustrated that they couldn’t find a winner.

But Reynolds expects Shels to come bursting out of the traps early at Dalymount tomorrow and said: “Listen, this is going to be a really tough test for us. Shelbourne are top of the league for a reason and I expect that they will come to Dalymount to have a real go at us.

“They are not going to come here to sit off, they’ll come and attack us, so we have to be ready for that.

“We have had a couple of really good performances now and we performed well against them two weeks ago but we will have to be better than that again because Shelbourne have real quality that can hurt you.”

After a difficult season in the league, the draw against Shelbourne and win against Rovers have been causes for optimism.

Reynolds said: “We have players who believe and buy in to what we are trying to do and what we are building towards.

“That hasn’t been easy when results were not going our way but I have to give credit to the group, they keep working harder and harder every week.

“They really wanted to give the fans something to cheer about on Sunday and obviously winning a Dublin derby has given everyone a lift, fans and players.

“That’s what we want every week – we want it to be a springboard for us between now and the end of the season so it’s important now that we continue to build and grow.

“But our players are flying in training, a derby win is the confidence boost and shot in the arm that we needed and one that I think our players deserved.

“We rode our luck at times but we grew into the game and we had our supporters behind us egging us on again, which is really important.

“The winner came from two substitutes too, which was pleasing as it shows that we have players who can come in and make a difference when games are in the balance.

“It was a massive goal for Filip, and he will want to build on that now, but it was a perfect cross into him from Jordan too, and it was great to have him back in the team.

“Those two are obviously champing at the bit to start now, and we have James Akintunde back this week too so we have options, and as a group there is a determination there and a belief in what we are trying to achieve.”

Team news

Martin Miller is away on international duty with Estonia, but James Akintunde returns from injury.

Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley remain out.

Alan Reynolds says Bohemians gave a glimpse of what they are capable of last week and has challenged them to build on it tomorrow morning when they host Shamrock Rovers in the Dublin derby at Dalymount Park.

After a bruising couple of weeks where they surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Waterford and needed penalties to scrape past Kerry in the FAI Cup, Reynolds’ men showed their mettle when they travelled to Tolka Park last Friday to take on league leaders Shelbourne.

They were frustrated that they could not find a winner despite long spells in the ascendancy but there were plenty of positives to take from the 1-1 draw.

Reynolds said: “We came out of last week’s game disappointed that we didn’t win it but very pleased with the performance.

“It was a great goal from Danny Grant to put us ahead but it was frustrating that we didn’t manage to hold onto our lead again.

“The most pleasing thing after that though was that we settled and didn’t allow our heads to drop. I felt that we really went after the game and we played some good stuff.

“Obviously the lads’ confidence had taken a knock after the manner of the cup game against Kerry and the defeat to Waterford.

“There is huge pressure playing the league leaders when heads are down a bit but we showed what we are capable of. We need to build on that fast but we can take confidence from how we performed.

“We had chances to win it but came up against a goalkeeper in form. If you look back on the game, there was only one team trying to win it in the end.”

But the fixture list doesn’t get any easier with another Dublin derby, this time at the unusual time of 11.30am on Sunday morning.

Reynolds added: “As I said last week, this is a very important period for the club. We are playing some of the top teams in the country over the course of the next month and it is vitally important for us to get points on the board.

“Our league form has been disappointing and we know how good Shamrock Rovers are so it is up to us to show how good we can be.

“The last time we played Rovers at Dalymount in the cup, the place was hopping and everyone was right behind the lads from start to finish, which helped get us over the line.

“Against a team as good as Rovers we will need that again, and I have no doubt we will as these games mean everything to everyone at the club whether you’re a fan or a player.

“I’ve no doubt our fans will have their alarm clocks set for early tomorrow to make sure they are in good voice in time for the early kick-off, and we all want to give them something to sing about.”

Team news

Jordan Flores is available for selection once more but Bohs are sweating on the fitness of Alex Greive and James Akintunde.

James McManus and Jake Carroll are close to returning, but Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley remain out.

Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds says his side need to dust themselves down and dig deep for an important month ahead, starting with tomorrow’s Dublin derby away to league leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

Reynolds’ side progressed to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup away to Kerry on Sunday but needed extra time and penalties to do so after a frustrating 2-2 draw at Mounthawk Park.

On the back of disappointing league form, the performance and result in Tralee drew vocal criticism.

Reynolds admits his side are hurting but has challenged them to channel that hurt and dig deep to find the resolve they need to drag themselves back up the table.

Reynolds said: “Nobody from this club who travelled down to Kerry on Sunday, whether it be fans, staff or players, was satisfied with the performance, and it was a long trip home with plenty of soul-searching.

“The frustration of the supporters is shared by the players and staff, and the reality is the only positive we can take out of the game is the fact that we are in the next round.

“The result and performance, particularly after doing so well and digging so deep to beat Rovers in the previous round to get there in the first place, was nowhere near good enough and I can assure you that there is nobody shying away from that.

“We took the lead twice so to allow Kerry to peg us back twice instead of us kicking on just wasn’t good enough.

“As a group we have spoken at length about what we need to do to get back to where we want to be and we are working extremely hard to make things right.

“For me, the important thing for us now as a group and as a club now is how we react. We have to react well and we have to react fast.

“We have a big month ahead of us. As a club, we have to stick together and dig deep to get the right performances and results that will move us back up the table.

“We have three big Dublin derbies in the league over the next three weeks, and then a FAI Cup quarter-final. We don’t have the luxury of looking ahead to that because we need to get points on the board.

“We all understand the criticism we have received and have taken it on board. We have talented players but they are hurting, so this is a test of our resolve now, and as a group we all have to dig deep.

“What I will say is that we need to stick together as a club. We have made a lot of changes over the past couple of months but we all know that where we are right now is a long way off where we want to be.

“I just ask our fans to stick with us. We haven’t given them a lot to cheer about over the past few weeks so there is a lot of frustration there, and we never take their support for granted.

“But in all my years in the league, one of Bohs’ greatest strengths has always been that when Bohs teams have their backs against the wall, the supporters of the club get behind them and are the extra man they need to dig out the results.

“That’s where we are now. Our backs are against the wall but I believe we have a team who will come out fighting and give everything of themselves to put things right.

“I am around long enough to take criticism on the chin but our players need support and a lift, so I ask that our fans get right behind them between now and the end of the season.”

It doesn’t come much tougher than tomorrow’s fixture away to the league leaders at a sold-out Dublin derby, but Reynolds says his side are doubly determined to rise to the challenges ahead.

He added: “We are heading into a sold-out Tolka Park for a Dublin derby, and we are live on TV. These are the kind of games that any player wants to be a part of.

“Shels are going for a league title and the place will be hopping, and it is up to every single one of us on the pitch and in the stands to do everything we can to get a result down there. We’ve done it before this season and I believe we can do it again.

“We are all in this together, and in games like this, our strength is our unity and our fans can make the difference at a time when our players need a lift.

“The allocation for our fans has been reduced to 500 but that won’t matter for those who managed to get a ticket. There is no doubt in my mind that in the cauldron of a Dublin derby, that they will make themselves heard and get behind the lads from the first whistle to the last.”

Team news

Jordan Flores is rated as 50/50.

James McManus and Jake Carroll are close to returning to first-team action but this game will come too early for them.

Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley remain out.

Alan Reynolds says Bohemians need to be clinical in defence and attack in what he expects to be a real battle against Waterford at Dalymount Park tonight.

A penalty from Dayle Rooney and an own goal had Bohs in the lead once more against Drogheda United last week but they had to settle for a 2-2 draw in the end.

Despite impressive passages of play and spells of dominance in recent games, Reynolds says his side need to start capitalising on them, and also tighten up at the back when they take the lead in games.

He said: “We know we need to be scoring more, and as I’ve said previously that is not just all on our forward players either. We need that edge in front of goal right across the team and be clinical when chances come our way to move up the table.

“We have to be stronger in defence too. We’ve taken the lead in both of our previous two league games so we are capable of hurting teams but when we have the lead we need to capitalise in attacking positions to push ahead further in games but also know how to defend our lead in the first place.

“There have been improvements in our performances but we need to turn those improvements into wins by being clinical in attack and clinical in defence.”

Reynolds faces his former club tonight as Keith Long returns to Dalymount Park once more in the opposition dugout.

Bohs have lost both home and away to Waterford this season, so Reynolds knows his side will face another tough game in Dalymount Park tonight.

He added: “We’ve worked really hard this week and we are looking forward to what we know is going to be a really tough game against Waterford.

“We watched a lot of Waterford and we know their strengths but they will know a lot about us too, so it should be a really good battle.

“Waterford have shown their qualities, and they were very good against Shamrock Rovers last week. But we have to look after ourselves and our own performances right across the team.”

Team news

Bohs are without Leigh Kavanagh after his red card against Drogheda United last week and are sweating on the fitness of Jordan Flores, Alex Greive and Archie Meekison. Rob Cornwall, James McManus and Keith Buckley remain out.

Bohemians travel to Drogheda United tomorrow with manager Alan Reynolds telling his players they need to be more clinical to start turning their improving performances into wins.

Bohs took an early lead against Dundalk at Dalymount Park last week but were left frustrated that they could not build on that despite spells of dominance during the game, and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Reynolds said: “We played well for 70-odd minutes and were on the front foot for large spells. Again, on another day, we were the bounce of a ball away from being 2-0 up on several occasions, and we had a penalty shout too.

“There was a lot to be pleased about. Our performances are improving, and we need to keep believing in what we are trying to achieve, but we need to turn those positives into victories.

“What we have seen with some of our performances since the league’s summer break is that we have players capable of creating chances and we are capable of getting players forward, but the reality is that we now have to be putting more of those chances away.

“So our message to the players is that we need to start turning performance into wins. That requires us to be clinical in the final third. That goes for everyone, not just our forward players. We have got to be more clinical right across the board.”

When these sides last met at Weavers Park in March, it was an eerie experience and a disjointed performance as Bohs, in Declan Devine’s penultimate game in charge, fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat.

That game saw Bohs play in front of an empty away section, with Bohs fans barred from attending as punishment for flares being thrown onto the pitch during their previous game away to St Pat’s.

The absence of travelling support didn’t help Bohs’ efforts that night, so Reynolds is keen that they make their presence felt this time around.

He added: “Listen, our supporters have been brilliant in Dalymount over the past couple of weeks. You saw the lift they gave the players and staff in the cup game against Rovers and they were terrific against Dundalk too.

“The players thrive off that and they want more of it. They know they have their bit to do too to get the crowd going in the first place but it’s important that our players and supporters keep that energy between them as it can be the difference in getting over the line when games are tight.

“Every time we go away from home, whether it be in Galway or Sligo or anywhere, our fans have been behind us from the first whistle.

“In a tight ground like Drogheda’s it will be even more important. It’s a great ground for atmosphere, particularly where the away fans are allocated, and I know our allocation is sold out, so to have our fans there in big numbers and urging the players on can make a massive difference.

“There is frustration with our league form, but I think our supporters recognise what we are trying to do with the team and the players we have added over the past month to help push us on.

“We have shown glimpses of what we are capable of in the past couple of weeks and they have responded to that and have got behind the team. We all want to build on that together now.”

Team news

Dawson Devoy returns from suspension, while Jordan Flores is a doubt and Archie Meekison will sit this one out.

Jake Carroll, James McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley remain out.

Alan Reynolds’ new-look Bohemians gave a glimpse of what they are capable of last week but he says they need to keep building to keep Dalymount rocking.

After a frustrating season in the league so far, few gave Bohs much of a chance heading into last week’s Sports Direct FAI Men’s Cup tie against Shamrock Rovers last week.

But they gave their best performance of Reynolds’ reign so far in front of a noisy and jubilant home crowd as they dumped their rivals out of the cup, with a trip to Kerry to look forward to next month as a result.

As well as scenes of celebration, there was also a sense of relief after a long-awaited win against Rovers, but Reynolds is not resting on his laurels and says his side now need to knuckle down and build on that result and performance, and move up the league table.

He said: “I know that it might sound strange given our form in the league but I wasn’t all that surprised by the result or the performance.

“I felt we have improved a lot in recent weeks and can see the progress being made and the determination of the squad in training as well as the lift the new players who have come in have given the group.

“There was obviously huge frustration among the players at our previous week’s defeat to Sligo Rovers but having analysed that game, we did create a lot of chances and didn’t get the rub of the green that we might have on another night to win the game.

“But I believe we had been improving, and the players were able to channel that frustration into doing everything we needed to do to beat Rovers last week.

“That was important for the group and for me I was extremely pleased for the players because there’s no doubt that their confidence has taken a knock over the past while.

“So for them to deliver a result and performance like that when confidence was low, they all to a man deserved the result and the reception they got from our fans after the game. It was an important marker to show what they are capable of and was the kind of performance we want to deliver consistently.

“We all know it has been a frustrating period for fans and players, nobody can deny that. But it was important for our players, particularly the new players and the younger members of the team, to see how great nights can be at Dalymount Park when we are all pulling in the same direction.

“Dalymount was rocking – absolutely hopping – and our players have seen now what we need to do to keep that going.

“So the result last week was very important in terms of giving the club a lift and showing where we want to go.

“But last week is very much in the past now. The important thing and challenge for all of us is that we keep building on it. It needs to spur us on to have more nights like that.

“That has to be the aim, but we know we have plenty of work to do to make it happen. We need to be able to play under that pressure and expectation, and we need to encourage our young players to improve and push on.”

Focus now turns to improving the club’s league form, starting tomorrow night when Dundalk are the visitors to Dalymount Park.

Reynolds said: “Dundalk are a team in transition, a bit like ourselves. Jon Daly is looking to put his own stamp on things like I am myself and he has made changes.

“They have players capable of hurting us, and like us they need results. We will respect them but again the most important thing for us is getting our own game right and focusing on what we can do.”

Frustratingly, Bohs will be without prodigal son Dawson Devoy after an EFL Cup suspension from December was carried over to the League of Ireland when he rejoined Bohs last week.

Reynolds added: “It’s a strange rule and Dawson will be frustrated to miss this one as he wants to be playing but we have a stronger squad now with everyone wanting to play, so it’s a chance for whoever comes in to assert themselves.”

Team news

Bohemians are without the suspended Dawson Devoy, but Brian McManus returns from injury.

Jake Carroll, James McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley remain out.

Alan Reynolds says everyone at Bohemians will be pulling in the one direction as they aim to progress in the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup against rivals Shamrock Rovers tomorrow.

There have been a lot of changes to Reynolds’ squad this month with the return of midfielder Dawson Devoy this week being the sixth addition during the July transfer window.

There have been as many departures too, the latest being the transfer of Dylan Connolly to Glentoran, which was confirmed earlier today.

Reynolds said: “We have made big changes which will make us a much stronger team. We were delighted to have been able to get a player like Dawson into the club this week. He is a fantastic player. He is exactly the kind of player needed to drive this club forward.

“A player as good as Dawson is hard to get, but he loved his time here and the people here, he feels that he has played his best football here too, and he is coming back here with the ambition to want to win things with this club.

“Ross Tierney was one of the best players on the pitch last week and all six players we have brought in so far will make us stronger. We brought on Leigh Kavanagh, Alex Greive and Archie Meekison in the second half last week too, so there’s been a lot of change.

“That amount of change and transition mid-season is a real challenge but there is no shying away from the fact that it was necessary. We had to improve the squad and we had to bring in players that will make us better.”

Bohs are on a disappointing run this season and Reynolds shared the frustrations of last week’s defeat to Sligo Rovers.

He is, however, viewing tomorrow’s cup tie against Rovers for everyone at the club, on and off the pitch, to pull together.

Reynolds said: “This is a one-off cup game in our home, so we need everyone on the pitch, everyone in the dugout and everyone in the stands pulling in the same direction.

“In games like this, that can count for a lot. It’s a massive cup tie against our rivals so we all want the place rocking and for our players to be encouraged to win every tackle and to win every ball.

“We’ve seen a lot of Rovers and we know how good a team they are and how tough a game it will be but we have to focus on ourselves and what all of us can do.

“We have good players at this club, we’ve added a lot more good players to the club over the past number of weeks so we believe in ourselves.

“We know our form is nowhere near where it needs to be. I felt that there were plenty of signs of improvement in our games away to St Pat’s and Galway United after the mid-season break but last week was very disappointing.

“We have analysed the game and what we did right and where we went wrong. We had a load of chances and we came up against a goalkeeper in the form of his life but we know we need to do so much better.

“There is frustration among the fans and there is frustration among the players because we had more than enough chances to win the game.

“We have to keep the ball better and use the ball better, and one area where I feel the players we have brought in this window will help us improve.

“When you have that many chances, we need to be putting them away. There probably won’t be as many chances against Shamrock Rovers so when we get, we have to take them.”

Team news

Bohemians are without Brian McManus, James McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley, while Filip Pisczek is a doubt.

Please note: A reminder that membership cards, season tickets and Junior Gypsies cards are not valid for cup games. You must have a match ticket.

Bohemian FC is delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Dawson Devoy, who returns from MK Dons on a multi-year contract.

Devoy, 22, returns to Dalymount Park where he made his breakthrough in senior football, and is the sixth addition to Alan Reynolds’ squad in the July transfer window following the return of Ross Tierney and additions of Leigh Kavanagh, Archie Meekison, Alex Greive and Lee Smith.

Having come through at Home Farm and St Kevin’s, Devoy progressed through the Bohemians academy where he was a key man for the Bohs U19s – most notably in the UEFA Youth League – and was handed his first-team debut by Keith Long five years ago yesterday as a substitute against UCD.

His real breakthrough season with the first team came in 2021. His contribution that year saw him play in all six games of Bohs’ memorable run in the Europa Conference League, and he helped the club to the FAI Cup final for the first time in 13 years.

That form saw him win the July SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month Award and the 2021 PFA Ireland Young Player of the Year, earning him a move to MK Dons in the summer of 2022, with his last game in a Bohs jersey seeing him wrap up a 3-1 win against UCD in what was his eighth league goal that season.

Since leaving Bohs, Devoy has played 70 games in England during his time with MK Dons and a loan spell last season with Swindon Town.

Welcoming Devoy back to Dalymount Park, manager Reynolds said: “Bringing Dawson back to Bohs is a massive coup.

“He is only 22 years of age now but he was one of the best midfielders in the league when he left two years ago and having watched him over the last couple of years, I know he is going to come back even better.

“Bohs fans know well what he is capable of, and the potential he had when he was here last, and I’m really looking forward to him coming in and giving the team a massive list.

“We know the team is suffering at the minute, and the fans are too. We have a clear medium- and long-term plan of where we want to go, and Dawson is a huge part of that.

“But he will be really important in the short term too because we know we need to get back to winning games.

“We need players who know how to deal with the expectation of this club and who know how to live up to that expectation and to thrive on the pressure of playing at Dalymount Park. Dawson brings that in spades, and will help lift the players around him too.

“I’m really happy with the players we’ve brought in, and I’m looking forward to them showing what they are capable of and getting the club to where we want to be.”

Devoy said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be back, and can’t wait to get back playing for Bohs again. This is where I played some of my best football, and I want to do even better again.

“I’m not coming home for an easy life – I loved my time at Bohs before and I want to be a part of getting the club back to where we belong.

“I had really good conversations with the manager, who obviously I knew well from the Ireland U21s, and with Stephen O’Donnell and Derek Pender. The plans that they have for the club and how they want to play really excited me.

“The club isn’t where it should be at the moment, so all of us coming in are determined to help the team push on.

“There’s a new manager in and now there’s new players in too, so we all have a role to play in getting the club back kicking and in getting Dalymount back rocking.”

Subject to international transfer clearance, Devoy could go straight into the squad for Friday’s Sports Direct FAI Cup clash with Shamrock Rovers.

He added: “For a first game back, it doesn’t get much bigger than that. If I get a chance to play, I’ll be looking to grasp it.”

Bohemian FC is delighted to announce the signing of experienced Scottish right-back Liam Smith on a multi-year contract.

The 28-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience having accumulated over 200 appearances in Scottish football, most notably with Hearts, St Mirren and Dundee United, and was most recently with Cheltenham Town and Grimsby Town in England.

Welcoming Smith to Dalymount Park, manager Alan Reynolds said: “Right-back was an area where we identified we needed to strengthen.

“Liam is one we have been chasing for a while now. He has tremendous experience, and has played a lot of games at a high level in both Scotland and England.

“He is a massive signing for us. It has been a long process getting this over the line, so I am thrilled that we have got him.”

Smith, who has won the Scottish Championship with both St Mirren and Dundee United, is Reynolds’ fifth addition in the July transfer window following the arrivals of Ross Tierney, Leigh Kavanagh, Archie Meekison and Alex Greive.

Smith said: “When I heard about the initial interest, I had a long conversation with the manager and I was really impressed by the ideas he put across and the presentation he made about the club.

“He has a real ambition about where he sees the club going and that was attractive.

“I am at an age now where I have played a lot of games in Scotland and in England, and have had a range of experiences.

“I know what it is like to win leagues and I know what it’s like to scrap at the bottom of leagues, so I believe my experience and leadership can help the team.

“I pride myself on being consistent. I’m a full-back who likes to contribute and get forward when I can, but first and foremost I’m about defending and keeping clean sheets.

“I spoke to players I know in the league – a couple of the boys at Derry City and I’ve played with Declan McDaid before too, so I’ve reached out to people and they only have positive things to say about the league.

“Declan had nothing but good things to say about the club as well, which upped my interest. This is a new city for me and my wife, and we are looking forward to getting settled.”