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Paul Hartley has made goalkeeper Robbie Mutch his first new signing of the summer.

The twenty-six year old is returning home to the north-east and has agreed a two-year deal.

Robbie began his career with Aberdeen, moving to Falkirk while still a teenager, and he gained plenty experience there, racking-up around eighty appearances. He spent the 2022-23 season with Edinburgh City, winning a contract with Ayr United, but his game time was more limited there, and he left Ayrshire in the summer.

With Nick Suman and Balint Demus leaving, the goalkeeper’s position is up for grabs, and Robbie hopes to make the position his own:

“From Soapy (Derek Soutar) the goalie coach, I’ve heard good things about the group from last year, and that’s what I want. As keepers, you push each other, you support each other, but you definitely want that number one shirt.”

“I’m just delighted to get it over the line. I first heard about it three or four weeks ago, then went on holiday, put my phone away and tried not to think about football. When I got back, the interest was still there, and I’m pleased it’s done.

“I’ve reached over 150 games now in the SPFL, but it has been frustrating of late, a bad injury put me out for eight or nine months, and last season just didn’t go my way. Now I’m keen to get back to the form I showed when I went to Edinburgh.

“I’ll be twenty-seven in August, and I feel as if I’m coming into what should be my good years.”

Paul Hartley believes the club is getting Robbie at a good time:

“I know him pretty well, I gave him game time when we were both at Falkirk, and he always impressed me. He’s had a few moves since, has picked up experience and knows the league. When we heard he was available, he was our number one choice, and I’m delighted to get him in.”

“He’s a local lad and having that identity has always been important at this club; it’s nice to bring Robbie home, and I’m sure his family will be happy.

“We had two good goalkeepers left in the summer, and they’re not easy to replace, so it’s great to be able to bring in someone of his quality.”

Now Robbie – who has been given the number one jersey – wants to get through the rest of pre-season training, and to start staking his claim for a regular start:

“I’m not going to lie, it’s been tough with the training, and hectic too with my girlfriend being down in Ayrshire and trying to organise the move back up to the north-east. That will all settle down though, and as the weeks go on, and I get some games under my belt, I’ll get fitter.

“In my Falkirk days, I had a short loan spell at Deveronvale and played against Cove in their Highland League days, and to see where they have got to in six or seven years, it’s amazing really! Now I’m looking forward to being a part of it for at least the next couple of seasons.”

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