GREENOCK have pulled off a major signing coup with this week’s recruitment of former St Mirren player David Barron.

The defensive midfielder, who lives in Greenock, left the Paisley club last January after a promising career was blighted by a long-term injury.

But the 27-year-old is now looking to kick-start it by joining the Ravenscraig club until at least the end of the season.

Speaking to the Tele, Barron, pictured, explained how the move came about.

He said: “I played in a recent friendly against Greenock, and after that they asked me to come in for a bit of training.

“I was really impressed with the set-up, and after being out of the game for almost two years, I am happy to be just kicking a ball again.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to get my fitness back, and all the better if I can help Greenock Juniors along the way. I still have ambitions to return to senior football, either full or part-time, but if I finish up in the juniors I would be happy enough with that, as at one point I thought I would never play again at all.’’ Barron admits to being surprised at the level of ability in the junior ranks, and appreciates that, like everyone else, he will have to perform well to get in the team on merit.

He said: “From what I have seen so far, the standard is really high and some of the players are excellent, so I know I will have to earn the right to play in the team. I am under no illusions that it’s going to be tough to get a game, but I think that once I get my fitness level back, I will feel more comfortable on the pitch.’’ Morton fans will remember Barron from the local rivalry with the Buddies, with which he claims a 100 per cent record.

He added: “I still get stick from my mates in Greenock, some of whom are Morton fans, but it’s all good banter.

“Maybe it’s because I never lost a game against Morton on any of the four occasions I played against them, starting two and coming on as a sub in the other two.” Barron, who remains involved with the Paisley club through their youth academy and coaches their Under-13 pro-youth team, came on for Greenock as a late sub in last week’s 1-0 win over Maybole.

So he could be in contention for a starting place tomorrow, when Rutherglen Glencairn are the visitors to Ravenscraig.

Manager Martin Campbell said: “It’s not every day you get a player of David’s calibre, and even in the short time he has been with us, you can tell he is a classy player. “So we are happy to play our part in helping him get back to full fitness.’’ However, there must be serious doubt over whether tomorrow’s match will go ahead, with this week’s weather leaving the Ravenscraig surface both snow-covered and waterlogged.

The weather resulted in Wednesday night’s training session having to be cancelled, but Campbell will still be keen for tomorrow’s game to get the green light.

Not only because a win would make it three back-to-back victories, but also because he is keen to see if his men can at long last get the better of Glencairn.

The Rutherglen men were comfortable 3-1 winners when the sides last met in September, and the manager admits they seem to have a hoodoo over his team.

He said: “Glencairn are a bit of a bogey team for us, but beating Largs and then Maybole in the last fortnight has really lifted the spirits at the club, so we are really hoping to get the chance for a hat-trick of league wins.” Kick-off at Ravenscraig is scheduled for 1.45pm.

Greenock Juniors are sponsored by SAVEHEAT, and the Lighthouse Bar.