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We are delighted to announce the signing of experienced right-back Michael Doyle.

The thirty-two year old impressed as a trialist in Saturday’s victory at Palmerston and has agreed a short term deal until January.

Mikey began his senior career with Alloa Athletic, and played for St Johnstone, Morton, Queen of the South and Falkirk, before joining Queen’s Park in summer 2020.

He was to enjoy a superb campaign, helping the Glasgow side to promotion and being voted League Two Player of the Year. The defender then moved on to Hamilton and had a brief loan spell last season back at Alloa.

Out of contract in the summer, Michael suffered a horrendous knee injury while playing in a pre-season friendly as he tried to earn a deal with Morton, and his weekend appearance in Dumfries was his first competitive outing in six months.

Mikey was delighted to get the opportunity, and says he is looking forward to playing his part for Cove Rangers:

“It was a huge relief getting back out on the pitch again, especially given that we got the result we wanted. You want to do the best you can, you don’t want to be a hinderance and look as if you haven’t played for a long time, but I thought I did quite well, managed myself, and I know that as the weeks go by I’ll get better and better.

“The injury I got was a freak accident, it wasn’t a bad tackle, but the guy landed on me, and I dislocated my kneecap. Thankfully, I’m a fit guy, and I was back running ten days later, but it has been a tough time and so it was good to finally be back playing again.

“I have had another couple of offers, but they just didn’t feel right, so when I got the chance to play as a trialist on Saturday, I thought why not, and hopefully we can all push on together.

“The gaffer was one of my first proper managers in the game, so I know what he wants, and I had a great four years there. We got promoted twice and survived two years in the Championship at Alloa; that was a great learning curve as I grew up from being a kid to a man in football.

“I’ve enjoyed some successes, it was a real honour being voted League Two Player of the Year (in 2020/21) with Queen’s Park, and I captained them into the Championship as well. I know this division, and I know how tough it is, and I’m here to play my part.

“Being out for so long was frustrating, I hated it, as my new fiancée Jane can testify to, and it was mentally challenging, so I was honoured to get the chance with Cove at the weekend, pleased we got the clean sheet, and I’m hoping to improve with each game.”

As Mikey outlined, Paul Hartley knows the defender well, having been his boss previously, and believes Doyle can make a major contribution in the coming months:

“He’s experienced now, in fact Mikey was one of my first signings as a manager and I worked with him for three years. He’ll get up and down the pitch, is a good organiser and talker, and I think he’ll be good for the dressing room.

“It’s a problem area we’ve had for a wee while now, Sena has played there, and he did a good job, but it’s not his natural position, and we just felt we needed a specialist there.

“He’s really enthusiastic, is a good person, and the type of boy I like to have around the place. I’ve been trying to get him in for a while now, and I’m so pleased we’ve got the deal over the line.

“Look at his contribution on Saturday. He hadn’t played for about six months, but you would never have known. He is one of the fittest players I have worked with, and he will only get stronger being back in training and playing games.

“He will be a positive influence on the younger players, both during the week and in matches, and he will really help them. You know what you’re getting with Michael and I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

Michael will wear the number three shirt and has signed initially until the end of January.

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