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LUIS LONGSTAFF

It was initially a frustrating time in the transfer market for manager Jim McIntyre after taking over at Balmoral Stadium in June, but one deal he did get over the line was the capture of Luis Longstaff, and the former Liverpool youngster is determined to repay the faith shown in him.

The twenty-one year old front man made a real impact with our League One rivals Queen’s Park last season, featuring thirty-one times and scoring four goals, and it was that experience which played a big part in his decision to move north.

“When I was at Queen’s, it was always a tough game against Cove, especially at Balmoral Stadium. It was probably the toughest place to come.

“I wanted to join a club that plays good football, and after being on the opposing side to that last year, it definitely motivated me to come here.”

Luis was aware of most of his new team-mates from those encounters last term, and is now settling in at the club having had a few training sessions, and featured in the matches against Morton and Caley Thistle.

“I knew some of the lads from playing against them last season, and it’s been great getting to know them better. They’re a really good group and have made me feel welcome.

“Everyone at the club has gone out of their way to make me feel at home.”

“In fact, everyone at the club has gone out of their way to make me feel at home.”

The manager has no doubt that his third summer signing can make a real impact in the Championship:

“He gives us something we’ve been looking for. He’s very direct and can go by a man, he plays the position well, and he offers natural width. He stretches the opposition, gives them problems, and that’s something I really like.”

Darlington born, Luis was snapped up by Liverpool as a kid, and feels the grounding he received there will stand him in good stead for the future:

“When you go to a club as big as Liverpool, the standard of coaching staff and the quality of people employed, they improve you every day you’re there. You play against the best teams at your level, you’ve got the best facilities, the best of everything.

“As a player, and a person, it’s made me a hundred times better than if I’d never been there. I’m grateful for everything they did for me.”

Two main highlights stand out for Luis; winning the FA Youth Cup Final in April 2019 – when he replaced recent Aberdeen signing Leighton Clarkson – and his debut for the senior Liverpool team in an EFL Cup tie a few months later.

“The League Cup game was a strange one, they changed the whole side, so it was like an under 23s against a proper Aston Villa first team. It was surreal, Villa Park was packed full, and the atmosphere was amazing. We lost 5-0, but it was still a great experience.

“As for the cup final, when you’re at a club like Liverpool, you know how important that is, and what it means. In the past, they’ve always put a lot of emphasis on bringing through young players.

“To have been part of that team, to have gone into the history books as having won the Youth Cup, it was a big achievement, one I’m really proud of.” Now, Luis feels he is ready to move on his career, and sees the Championship as the ideal platform for him to do so.

And he believes the drive and motivation he has is shared by everyone at Cove Rangers:

“Having won League One last year, the ambition of the club is there for everyone to see. They have big aspirations to become a full-time club, and they want to continue to push up the leagues.

“I spoke to the manager, and he made it clear they don’t want to just stay in the Championship, they want to keep pushing on and hopefully fight for promotion.

“That kind of ambition is partly what pulled me here; I want to be a part of it.”