New Aberdeen signing Ross McCrorie has an East Kilbride Amateur team to thank for keeping him in shape over the summer and helping land his move north from Rangers.
Caledonian League side East Kilbride YM provided their Kirktonholme Park for the midfielder while the season was shut down.
YM gaffer Graeme Robertson, who is a huge Dons fan, was delighted to help McCrorie and his goalkeeping brother Robby, who is on loan at Livingston from Rangers, stay in shape.
Striker Kevin Nisbet also used their facilities for solitary training before sealing his move to Hibs - and, ironically, went on to net a hat-trick against Robby in a 4-1 win over Livi on August 8.
After McCrorie's loan move to Pittodrie was announced, Robertson told Lanarkshire Live Sport: "Ross was down training during the summer, Monday to Friday working really hard.
"He asked if he could use our park at Kirktonholme and borrowed a few balls and some cones.
"He was doing a bit of training on his own to keep him ticking over.
"He looked a good player when he played against Aberdeen in centre-midfield a couple of seasons ago and he looks like he'll be a good addition.
"I'm delighted he's gone to Aberdeen, as an Aberdeen fan.
"Fingers crossed it goes well and maybe he'll get me a ticket in the future."
With all three players using YM's facilities before landing moves during the summer, the club even joked on their social media account that they've benefited from the "Kirktonholme effect."
All the best to Ross McCrorie on his big move. Ross trained alone at Kirktonholme during the summer to keep his fitness up. Another 2 pros did likewise and all 3 have now went on to make the step up and secure new contracts at SPFL Clubs. Must be the Kirktonholme effect pic.twitter.com/O93gDq0Jxv
— East Kilbride YM FC (@EKYM_FC) August 18, 2020
Robertson added: "We had Kevin Nisbet down as well and he went on to join Hibs and score a hat-trick in one of his first games for them.
"He was a really nice boy and it's great to see them all doing well."
Dunfermline defender Euan Murray also used YM's facilities.
The players' agent is East Kilbride native Nicholas Nicholson and he revealed Ross McCrorie will be sending Graeme a token of appreciation.
Nicholson said: "Ross and all the boys are really thankful to Graeme, YM and EKYC for providing the facilities for them.
"Ross is going to send him a signed Aberdeen top to thank him for their commitment to helping the players over the summer.
"They got the goals out, the balls and cones for them to use as well, which is fantastic.
"They all kept within Government guidelines and, as a former YM player myself, we just want to pass on how much we appreciate their help - and it's obviously paid off with the boys getting moves."
It's not the first time YM have been associated with Scottish football stars.
Following a spell at Sunderland, Lafferty is now plying his trade in Italy's Serie B with Reggina.
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