Published: Wednesday, 30th June, 2010 1:44pm

Lie make double midfield swoop

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By Robert Burns

ARTHURLIE's midfield was bolstered this week as Michael Keenan and Stevie Miller put pen to paper on deals to see them join the Dunterlie Park side.

Keenan joins ex-team mates Neil Parry and David Merriman at Arthurlie after joining from Petershill.

A tough tackling midfielder, Keenan started 312 games for the Glasgow club and notched up nine goals last year in a team that struggled for most of the season and looks like a good addition to the Barrhead ranks.

Miller joins from local rivals Pollok where he spent four-and-a-half years in the south side club's engine room.

He gained notoriety amongst the Arthurlie faithful as he was sent off three times against the Barrhead club.

But that didn't stop Lie boss Mark Cameron snapping up the midfielder.

When his availability became known there were no shortage of offers for Miller, with Beith, Irvine Meadow and Auchinleck amongst a host of clubs touted to have been chasing his signature.

But Cameron's vision for the Barrhead club bought over 'Bexy' straight away.

The Arthurlie midfield for the coming season looks as strong as any in the league with Keenan, Miller and recent signing Brian McKeown vying for places.

Cameron said: "I'm happy to get Michael and Stevie as they are two quality players and will bring strong competition to the squad.

"They were both influential players in their positions and for their clubs.

"It gives us a stronger midfield berth which I felt was a bit thin on the ground.

"The four players we have brought in have made people take notice of what's going on.

"We still have some wheeling and dealing to get on with but we're nearly there."

The fresh faces will now be alongside current players John McLay, Callan Adam, John Johnstone, Steve Bonar and Sean Winter.

The Arthurlie management and committee are still chasing one or two targets and also some players are still on holiday, so as ever Barrhead Sport will keep you up to date with any developments as soon as they happen.

Meanwhile, after last week's fixture update, one game we can confirm for definite is the visit of local Premier League side St Mirren who will bring a side to face Arthurlie on Wednesday August 4 at Dunterlie Park (kick-off 7pm).

The match is being played to raise funds to go towards an operation that Lie centre back Craig Higgins requires to get himself fully fit.

Higgins, who was part of the Aberdeen side that ended Celtic's 77-game unbeaten run at Parkhead in 2004, is thought by many to be one of the top defenders in the Juniors and his return to full fitness would be a huge boost to the Barrhead club.

Arthurlie boss Cameron added: "Craig Higgins will be the big addition to the squad and he will be like a new player for us when he is back playing."

The Neilston mole, big Dougie, is currently on yet another summer holiday, so as soon as he returns Barrhead Sport will bring you all the goings on from the Brig O'Lea club.