Kerr will add power to Rothes ranks
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
NEW Rothes signing Gary Kerr can beef up the Speysiders attack and give them some defensive mettle, says manager Steven MacDonald.
Kerr made the switch from Nairn County this week after a swoop by MacDonald persuaded the Inverness-based front man – who turns 27 next week – to take up a peg at MacKessack Park.
"I sort of had Gary in mind for a while," said the Rothes boss. "He's someone I had quite admired and I thought he could make a difference to us.
"We approached Nairn and thankfully they have been great to do business with."
Kerr, a late developer who has had two spells at Nairn and one at Clach, is a tall and powerful presence who MacDonald believes will add a new dimension to his team.
"I'm sure the automatic reaction from people will be to ask if it's not a defender I need, which I can hear now. But we are trying to improve things as we go along and certain players may not be available at this time.
"Gary is a striker but he's a big boy who can have an influence in both penalty boxes. Nowadays everybody is back for setpieces anyway and Gary certainly gives us a lot more height and physicality in defence against setpieces, which is something that's been letting us down.
"I'd also think that he can help the defence by holding the ball in better.
"I've said already this season I think we are too nice at times. You can play all the nice football you like but it doesn't always win football games.
"We've been looking at the team and asking if it needs to be physically stronger and a bit bigger, and not so nice. Gary has come into that category. He's a goalscoring threat as well but he can take the pressure off, do different stuff that others can't do with the size and power that he's got."
Kerr will have to wait to make his debut for his new club. Rothes visit Nairn on Saturday but agreed as part of the transfer not to play him against his former employers.
The Speysiders haven't had a game since before Christmas, when they lost 4-0 at home to ten-man Buckie.
Last week's home game against turriff was the latest postponement, but MacDonald has trained his squad hard indoors in preparation for their first match of the new year.
Top goalscorer Scott Davidson has shaken off a shoulder injury and will be fit to return.
