MORTON manager Ray McKinnon is delighted to bolster his defence after signing Kerr Waddell on loan.

The Dundee centre-back joined the club on Tuesday on a six-month deal.
The 20-year-old defender made 22 appearances for Neil McCann’s side last season, seven of those from the bench.

Waddell is McKinnon’s eighth addition to the squad since arriving earlier in the summer, taking the first team squad up to a total of 16 players, backed up by youth team players.

Waddell adds competition for places in the backline, with the Cappielow side also having Gregor Buchanan and Lee Kilday signed up in the same position.

McKinnon was happy to bring in Waddell as he continues to build his squad for the new campaign.

He told the Tele: “He’s played in the first team and has good experience. 

“He’s a good solid defender and he’s going to help us.
“We’re really happy to have him and he’ll be a good asset for us and adds competition to the centre-back area.”

The youngster has progressed through Dundee’s youth academy and made his first-team debut for the Dens Park outfit last year in the League Cup against Raith Rovers.

He scored on three occasions last season, most notably a brace against Hearts, earning Dundee a 2-1 win over the capital side back in September.

But it was his performances against Dundee United when McKinnon was in charge of the Tangerines that put him on alert for the centre-back.

The youngster’s impressive displays in two derby games in the League Cup were when McKinnon first took note of his talents.

The Morton manager added: “We’ve known about him for over a year. 

“He played well against us when I was at Dundee United in the derbies and we’ve seen him a few times over the season.”

Waddell will be on loan to the club until January 16.