Ports snap up Twigg
Gary Twigg looks set for a move to Portadown from Shamrock Rovers in the January transfer window. Pic by INPHO Sports.
SHAMROCK Rovers’ Gary Twigg (pictured) is expected to end months of speculation within the next fortnight by confirming his switch to Shamrock Park.
A statement released this week by the Dublin outfit revealed Twigg will become a free agent following the final match of the season on October 26 and that “the striker expects to sign for an Irish League club when he leaves the Hoops”.
Sources at both clubs have confirmed to ‘Times Sport’ that Twigg is set for Portadown when the domestic transfer window opens in January.
The free-scoring forward should make his final home appearance at Tallaght Stadium tonight (Friday) as Rovers face UCD.
Twigg has confirmed the departure is to enable the striker to be closer to his family based in Northern Ireland.
The 28-year-old from Scotland left Brechin City in 2009 to join Rovers and helped the Tallaght outfit seal back-to-back championships, a Setanta Sports Cup prize and progress into the Europa League group stages.
It is understood that Twigg has been a long-term target for the Ports but an agreement is now finalised. The Ports boss, Ronnie McFall, this week refused to discuss any transfer deal.
“No comment,” said McFall. “As far as I’m concerned he is a Shamrock Rovers player.”
However, McFall was happy to review Portadown’s recent run of form – including Saturday’s single-goal defeat of Glentoran.
Darren Murray’s penalty kick increased the on-song striker’s personal tally to six in five appearances and helped the Ports extend the unbeaten run across all competitions to four fixtures.
“You can see the confidence levels are improving all the time and that comes from the defence right up the team,” said the Ports boss. “We have Neil McCafferty and Jamie Tomelty back in training, plus Mark Patton now building up his match fitness, so the signs remain encouraging.
“Chris Ramsey had to come off last weekend with hamstring trouble but it looks like a strain rather than anything serious, although he will miss the Donegal Celtic match on Saturday.
“Keith O’Hara has been outstanding in midfield, plus Chris Casement is looking better and better at right-back.
“We deserved the three points against Glentoran and controlled the game overall, with some really good first-half chances.
“We wanted three points and that result helps add to the unbeaten sequence, plus winning ugly is an example of the resolve in the side at present.”
Kick-off on Saturday will be 3 o’clock.
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Weather for Portadown
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
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