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Saturday, 31 March, 2001, 11:53 GMT 12:53 UK
Scottish transfer dealings
Ian McCall led the way as the Scottish transfer deadline approached, making six signings in a desperate bid to form a team capable of saving Airdrieonians from relegation from Division One.
McCall fixed up former Airdrie striker Owen Coyle from Dunfermline Athletic, former St Johnstone and Hamilton Academical goalkeeper Allan Ferguson and experienced defender Fraser Wishart from Clydebank late on Friday.
That was after earlier in the day signing Spanish goalkeeper Ramiro Gonsalez, former Partick Thistle midfield wide-man Derek McWilliams and former Aberdeen and Hibernian winger Ian Cameron, who had also been with Partick Thistle.
McCall said: "I set out to bring in experienced players to help us in our fight.
Running reserve team
"Owen is coming here primarily as a player but will also be coaching.
"He has been signed to the end of the season, but as long as we can agree a further contract, we want to fix him up with a two-year deal.
"That will get his foot in the door as a coach, although, I repeat, he is coming here principally as a player."
Coyle had been on loan with Ross County but departed Dunfermline for good as fellow striker David Graham left the Pars for Torquay United.
Airdrie's First Division relegation rivals, Raith Rovers, were still hoping to sign striker Andy Smith from Kilmarnock by the Saturday evening deadline.
Rovers assistant manager Kenny Black said: "It is not difficult to see that much of our problem has been caused through not being able to score.
"We have been trying for Andy at various times throughout the season and we are hopeful that we will get him this time.
"Andy is just clearing up one or two points with Kilmarnock."
Other transfers to go through by Friday evening were:
Alloa Athletic - 26-year-old defender Allan McManus from Livingston after he impressed as a trialist in midweek.
Clyde - 19-year-old defender Unal Mehmet from Wimbledon until the end of the season.
Ross County - striker Martin Prest, previously with Airdrie.
Queen of the South - 21-year-old former Middlesbrough midfielder Steven Walklate from Darlington; goalkeeper Jamie Campbell from Clydebank.
Stenhousemuir - 25-year-old midfielder James Henry from Clyde.
Dumbarton - 20-year-old midfielder Craig Lynes from East Stirlingshire for £8000.
East Stirlingshire - 21-year-old midfielder Sean McAuley from Clyde.
Elgin City - 18-year-old defensive midfielder David Hind from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Hamilton Accies - 19-year-old midfielder Ross Jeffrey from Hibernian until the end of the season.
Montrose - defender Richard Fox from Stenhousemuir.
Arbroath manager John Brownlie was also aiming to bring in 19-year-old defender David McInally from Raith following the loss of Andy Webster to Hearts.
Showed an interest
Division Two promotion hopefuls Stranraer were expected to complete the signing of 23-year-old defender Neil McGowan from Oxford United.
McGowan was formerly with Albion Rovers when managaer Billy McLaren was in charge at Cliftonhill.
Accies manager Ally Dawson said: "I have tried to get Gerry on a number of occassions during the season and he showed an interest in coming to us.
"But each time luck was against us as someone at Livingston would get injured and Gerry was back in the first-team squad."
While East Stirlingshire added Sean McAulay from Clyde, there was still no sign of a definite move for striker Steve Hislop, who has been training all week with Motherwell.
Falkirk midfielder Mark Kerr is due to travel south on Sunday for a four-day trial with Leeds United.
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Links to more Scotland stories are at the foot of the page.
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