First Team

Loan Report | September 2023

3rd October 2023

It's been a busy month of loan action for our Academy graduates across the SPFL pyramid - let's cast an eye over their progress throughout September.

Miller Thomson - Montrose

 

The 19-year-old has hit the ground running with Montrose on the first loan spell of his senior career. 

Overall, Thomson has made three starts in September, however, missed out on a place in the matchday squad for Montrose's final League One clash of the month against Falkirk through injury.

In a scintillating showing against Edinburgh City, he netted a first-half brace, before teeing up Blair Lyons for his side's fifth of the afternoon after the break. It was a performance which earned him a place in the SPFL Team of the Week. 

In the coming weeks, the Gable Endies host Alloa Athletic and Hamilton Academical in Angus, and hit the road to face Raith Rovers in the SPFL Trust Trophy Fourth Round and Cove Rangers. 

Logan Chalmers - Ayr United

Logan in action for Ayr United - credit Alan Graham 

Chalmers has picked up from where he left off at Somerset Park, enjoying his second loan spell in as many seasons with Ayr United. Having cemented a place in Lee Bullen's starting line-up, he has missed just five cinch Championship minutes of action this month.

The winger spurred his side on to their first win in six at the National Stadium on Matchday Six, scoring twice in the opening 12 minutes to send the Honest Men on their way to a convincing 5-2 victory over Queen's Park.

Chalmers also recorded an assist in Mount Florida, setting up Anton Dowds for number five with a neat cushioned ball in behind the Spiders' backline. As a result, he was selected as the Star Man in the SPFL's Team of the Week.

Ayr United begin October with a visit to Airdrieonians, before a home matchup with Greenock Morton is bookended by trips to East End Park and Firhill.

Lewis O'Donnell - Kelty Hearts

O'Donnell has nailed down a place in the Kelty Hearts side on the right wing, with eight League One appearances under his belt already this term and five consecutive starts.

Michael Tidser's side currently occupy the final promotion play-off spot heading into the third month of the season, reclaiming fourth place on Saturday with a 3-1 triumph over Queen of the South - a match which the United youngster played the entirety of.

A week prior, O'Donnell grabbed his first professional goal in style by picking out the top corner with a sensational half-volley from the edge of the area versus Falkirk.

In October, the New Central Park outfit are pencilled in to take on Edinburgh City, Greenock Morton, Alloa Athletic and League Two Champions Stirling Albion.

Rory Macleod - Forfar Athletic

 

Rory has endured an impactful opening month at Station Park since joining Ray McKinnon's Forfar Athletic earlier this month.

The Scotland U19 has been in the starting XI for all three of the Loon's matches following his arrival, against Spartans, Stranraer and East Fife respectively, averaging 80 minutes per cinch League Two match.

Rory, 17, and Forfar face Peterhead, Elgin City and Huntly in the Scottish Cup throughout October.

Layton Bisland - Falkirk

19-year-old full-back Bisland and Falkirk are yet to taste defeat in League One this season, sitting top of the pile with 22 points from eight matches.

He has made two substitute appearances for the Bairns since making the switch at the end of August, but is yet to make his Falkirk Stadium bow having appeared in two victories on the road. 

Bisland has three opportunities to make his home debut in October. A mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash with fellow undefeated side Hamilton Academical kickstarts the month, with the match set to be shown live on BBC ALBA.

Subsequent fixtures this month see John McGlynn's men play Queen's Park, Stirling Albion and Alloa Athletic.

Bryan Mwangi - The Spartans 

Mwangi embarked on his first temporary switch away from Tannadice last Friday, joining The Spartans on loan until the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The all-Edinburgh clash between Spartans and Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday came too early for the attacking midfielder to cut his teeth in League Two, however, he is in line to make his debut this weekend against Stranraer.

Spartans then welcome Dumbarton to Ainslie Park, before rounding off a three-game month with a Scottish Cup Second Round tie against Brechin City. 

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