Ryan returns to Whites

NEW Distillery boss Tim McCann has not wasted any time in setting about shaping his team with his first signing arriving this week.

Former Distillery player Ryan McCann put pen to paper on a two year deal on Tuesday night as the Whites’ manager looks ahead to the new season.

“Midfield is the engine room and if you get that right then it helps in other areas. Getting a player like Ryan is a boost. He has the experience, he has the ability and the energy to make a difference for us.”

McCann also was able to retain leading goalscorer Gary Liggett who had been sought by Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts.

“As a player it is flattering when other clubs want you but Gary was easy to deal with. We talked about the vision we had and where we wanted to take the club and he showed he wanted to be a part of it. It’s not easy to find strikers who can score 20 plus goals a season so to have Gary on board is fantastic. Now we have to provide support to him and help him do even better next season.”

McCann is also looking at the goalkeeping options by inviting former Hearts trainee Lee Windrum to pre-season training and games. The 25-year-old former Lisburn Youth player has also had spells with Crusaders, Carrick and Glenavon with his last club Corby Town,

Other players who have agreed new contracts include Andrew Ferguson, Philip Simpson, Andy Hunter, Scott Davidson, Andy Hall, David McCullough and Jordan Hughes.

Leaving the club are Pat McShane, Gary Thompson, David Cushley, Davy Larmour, Mark Cooling and Sean McCashin.

McCann has also brought in Billy Sinclair, the first boss he played under, for a scouting role.

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