Derry City's Kevin Deery admits new signings could be days away

With winger Jamie McDonagh expected to leave the Brandywell club, Deery confirmed that manager Declan Devine and technical director Paddy McCourt have been working hard behind the scenes in attempts to bring new faces to the squad.

“We definitely have to strengthen the squad and myself, Declan and Paddy are flat out trying to add to the group,” he insisted.

“But we aren’t going to just add players to the group for the sake of it, as they have to be the right fit for us and they have to add quality and have the right mindset for us.

“We are working tirelessly and hopefully we’ll have a bit of news in regards to new players soon. We are trying to move on a few players.”

With the resumption of the 2020 season just 11 days away, kicking off with the Candy Stripes hosting bottom side Sligo Rovers,at a fans free Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, it’s something Deery admits will be strange. However, he reckons the new streaming service on offer is great for everyone.

“It’s absolutely brilliant that the club can offer season ticket holders the streaming service and there’s a buzz about now that the football is coming back,” he added.

“It’s great that the streaming service has been provided for season ticket holders and we are delighted that people can watch Derry play on a Friday night and it will mean a lot to us to put out a team to represent them.

“All the boys are looking forward to our first competitive game against Sligo at the end of the month.

“Knowing we have season ticket holders back in their home watching the game, that’s the carrot as such that we can dangle in front of the players in terms of telling them that they are still representing the people of Derry.

“We have all grown up playing football with no crowds, so yes while it will be strange, at the end of the day it’s just another competitive game and you’ll want to do your best and win a game of football.

“We know that the fans and in particular the Derry City fans, really add to games but we are going through different times at the minute, so we just have to embrace it and do well without our fans in the Brandywell.

“Our boys are really looking forward to the season starting again and will be looking to hit the ground running, especially because it has been such a long lock down period. It will be a race to the finish.

“Everyone has gone through a bad time in terms of having to be locked up at home and not knowing when we would get back to football, so the more matches the better for us now and the quicker they come the better. We are all looking forward to the games and we are going to embrace each match as they come.”

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