[Stevie Aitken's Love Child]

I don't know if this has ever been done before, but in light of the recent best/worst player threads that have been done I thought it would be interesting to look back on the best and worst loan signings you've seen at your club. These can't be players that went on to sign permanently i must add.

Best

Paddy Connolly - Was with us for 5 games in 1999, scored 5 goals. We tried to get him permanently but St Johnstone knocked us back.

Robert Earnshaw - came to us as an unknown 18 year old in January 2000, is now a premiership star who has had transfer fees totalling around £10m spent on him. Enough said.

Martin Foster - Came from Leeds for the 98/99 season and was a revelation in midfield. Now at Rushden and Diamonds.

Worst

Steven McConalogue - came from Dundee Utd when we were in administration in 2001, and was gash. Couldn't hit a coo's erse with a banjo, failed to score in 2 months spell.

Michael Renwick - Came from Ayr for a month in 2002, and was simply awful. Slower than Keith Wright in a strong wind.

James McPake - Signed from Livingston in Jan 2006 till the end of the season, scored twice in his 2nd appearance then decided he couldn't be arsed anymore. Didn't even get in the team when we played a reserve/youth side on the last day at Forfar - what more can I say!

[Ray Vaughn]

BEST

Robert Snodgrass last season helped us to the promotion that was a cert for Raith Rovers, apparently.

Dene Shields was fair motoring up to Christmas for Stirling last season. Would have probably won the league if he'd been able to stay beyond Christmas(over 23 rule?) and we wouldn't have had a bad January allowing Morton to pull away for the second time of three times last season. If we had caught Morton in January, Morton would still be in the 2nd division.

Derek Lyle was on loan for our 3rd division promotion season. Scored some cracking goals in between sessions on the sunbed.

Worst

Lynsey Hamilton. Wot a big woman of a goalie. The pits. Stopped us getting Jim Duffy on loan when he made his comeback from retirement as you were only allowed 2 loans a season.

[Radford]

Good thread!

I have five nominations for the worst loan signing though...

Ludovic Roy (St Mirren) - When Alan Miller was recalled by Blackburn Rovers in 2002 the timing couldn't have been worse as it was a week before our crunch relegation clash with Hibs at Easter Road. We were well adrift but had finally found some form and had beaten third placed Livingston 3-0 the week before. Ludo threw two goals in the back of the net (one literally!) in the opening minutes at Easter Road and we were relegated. He broke his hand the following week and went back to St Mirren. Unlike the Buddies, we don't blame our relegation on a goalkeeper though.

Jamie Winter (Aberdeen) - Not idea what OC saw in this guy. Decent debut against Brechin but terrible after that.

Craig Samson (Kilmarnock) - We were woeful that season and maybe he wasn't helped by coming into the side after Allan McGregor but I don't think he made one save in about three months.

Craig Russell (Manchester City) - Not a bad signing in terms of ability and indeed he scored on his debut against Motherwell. Unfortunately he tore a hamstring about two minutes later and got a 2 or 3 year deal off the back of one goal, most of which he spent injured. Amazing to think he's been a million pound player and had been Sunderland's top scorer in The Premiership. So he wasn't actually that bad a loan signing - 1 goal in 1 game - but because of what it led to, he has to be in there.

Sean Evers (Reading?) - Much in the Jamie Winter mould, only this time signed by Sandy Clark. Brought very little to the team and only succeeded in keeping one of our own youngsters out of the side.

As for best, in no particular order...

Kenny Deuchar (Gretna) - Pretty much written off as being able to cut it at this level, we were at our lowest when Coyle brought him in. 9 games and 7 goals later and he's done his job and then some. Not only has his own contribution been huge but he's proved the perfect foil for Andy Jackson, something that will benefit us long after he's gone, such has been the improvement in Jackson's game over the past couple of months.

Rocco Quinn (Celtic) - Arrived at the same time as Deuchar and has been equally as impressive. His impact maybe hasn't been so noticeable but he's just a really good player.

Allan McGregor (Rangers) - Had a dodgy start when Connolly through him straight into a struggling side but ended his spell with the club by keeping six clean sheets in a row. In the first league games after he'd gone, we lost 4-0 and then 3-0.

Alan Kernaghan (Manchester City) - We were doing ok in the Premier Division in our first season back up but the arrival of Kernaghan from Man City - who had signed him for £1,000,000 - added a touch of class to our side. Took a massive pay drop to sign for us permanently and along with Sergei Baltacha, is the best Saints defender I have seen.

Honourable mentions to Filipe Morais (Millwall), Mark Robertson (Dundee) and Stuart Noble (Fulham).

[Radford]

Ray Vaughn, on Oct 25 2007, 16:51, said:

Lynsey Hamilton.

Lindsay!

[Nizzy]

Radford, on Oct 25 2007, 17:03, said:

Allan McGregor (Rangers) - Had a dodgy start when Connolly through him straight into a struggling side

Radford, on Oct 25 2007, 17:04, said:

Lindsay!

Threw!

[rubber_duck]

Recent best loansters for Queens:

Stevie Murray ( a natural left sided midfielder - something Chisholm some how doesnt think we need )
Jamie Adams (last season)
Ryan McStay
Robbie Neilson

Disappointing Loansters:

Dermot MacCaffrey (sp?)
Robbie Henderson
Paul McMullan
edited to add: David Bingham (thought he would contribute far, far more - waste of a wage)

Most Pointless and Needless Loanster:

David Nixon (no disrespt to him, as he looks decent enough, but Andy Aitken's there - He's far better )
Jamie Mole - are you there?????

This post has been edited by rubber_duck: 25 October 2007 - 17:09

[Yoss]

Radford, on Oct 25 2007, 17:03, said:

Craig Russell (Manchester City) - Not a bad signing in terms of ability and indeed he scored on his debut against Motherwell. Unfortunately he tore a hamstring about two minutes later and got a 2 or 3 year deal off the back of one goal, most of which he spent injured. Amazing to think he's been a million pound player and had been Sunderland's top scorer in The Premiership. So he wasn't actually that bad a loan signing - 1 goal in 1 game - but because of what it led to, he has to be in there.

Alan Kernaghan (Manchester City) - We were doing ok in the Premier Division in our first season back up but the arrival of Kernaghan from Man City - who had signed him for £1,000,000 - added a touch of class to our side. Took a massive pay drop to sign for us permanently and along with Sergei Baltacha, is the best Saints defender I have seen.

Neither of those players made much of a splash at City, but Kernaghan was particularly dreadful, and his subsequent arsey comments about us (ie City) didn't endear him much to anyone. Unfortunately we paid even more than that for him though, about £1.5 million back in '93 when that was quite a lot of money. I thought it was a good buy too becuse he'd looked very good with Middlesbrough the previous season.

Criag Russell had been valued at about a million when we got him in a straight swap with Nicky Summerbee. He was alright, did what he could at a difficult time without ever really being up to the job.

[Poet of the Macabre]

Scofield, on Oct 25 2007, 18:13, said:

Best

Adam Hammill (Liverpool) - England Under 19 international. Joined in January and became a fans favourite. His performance against Hearts in the Scottish Cup was one of the best individual performances i've seen since starting to watch the Pars. Tricky, fast, lots of flair, good cross, decent shot. Fancy a return, Adam?

Jim O'Brien (Celtic) - Debut in our 3-2 Cup win over Rangers. Made as big an impact as Hammill did. Work rate was unbelievable and, along with Adam, gave us width which we needed (and need) so much. Nearly got him again this summer but Celtic wanted us to take him permanently....we wanted a loan.

Allan McGregor (Rangers) - Played for us a couple of years ago under Allan McGregor. Made numerous brilliant saves and kept us in alot of games. No surprise he's now Number 1 at Ibrox.

Stevie Crawford (Hibs) - Originally joined us on loan. First game he scores 2 goals at Brockville. Became a bit of a hero.



Worst

Derek Lyle (QOTS) - Nothing against him but he never played. What was the point?

Marinus Dijkhuizen (FC Utrecht) - Striker joined around 2000/2001 and scored 1 goal in 6 months. He wasn't very good. Very tall lad though if I remember correctly.

Liam Horsted (Portsmouth) - Moments of brilliance. Mostly a lazy bassa. Now (was) at Oxford.

[1 John Lambie]

Best:

Graeme Dorrans - Lavvy
Jukka Santala - Rangers - Only for the goals

Worst:

Steven Campbell - Rangers
Paul Di Giacomo - Killie


Canny be arsed thinkin of any more.

[cowdenbeath]

Best
CRAIG GORDON - A then unknown 18 year old from Hearts, had him for the 1st half of 01/02 and probably kept us in the 2nd division that season.

ROBBIE NEILSON - Another youngster at the Jambos when we got him in 98/99.

DEREK RIORDAN - Only had him a month before Mr Blobby took him back to Hibs i'm sure if we had kept him to the end of the season we wouldn't have been relegated in 2003.

JOHN ARMSTRONG - Had him from Hearts 2nd half of last season and this season he has been a standout for us.

DAVID ARMSTRONG - As above.

MIKKO PAATELAINEN - On loan from FF Jaro during the championship season scored quite a few vital goals as did DAVID McKENNA and ANDY JACKSON.

Worst
STEVEN WEIR - Had him 2nd half of last season from Livi and was pretty poor god knows how he got into the Scotland u19s.

MURRAY DAVIDSON - Another Livi youngster who didn't do much for us last season.

STUART BOYD - Came on loan from Ayr during our championsip season and was hooked 45 minutes into his debut and never played again!

ANDY CARGILL - Also came on loan from Ayr fat over weight waste of space.

[Gnash]

Best
Robert Snodgrass - helped us to promotion last season and tried 100% (almost) all the time.
Dene Shields - was brilliant after a slow start in the first half of last season.
Derek Lyle - Tan man banged a fair few goals in as we got promoted from the 3rd.

Worst
Without any doubt the worst loan player I've seen at Stirling was Rangers 30th choice keeper Bob Giacomi. Could throw the ball from box to box, but sadly saving trundlers and catching footballs was beyond him.

[FC_1919]

Best

Robbie Neilson - Class, one of the best players I have seen for the South.

Ryan McStay - Was instrumental in keeping us up two years ago.

Jamie Adams - If he was fit this year, we would not be in this mess.

Jamie McDonald - Solid.

Derek Lyle - The year we won the title? Was he a loan?

Worst

Kris Robertson - Worst keeper ever.

Robbie Henderson - Poor, looked class against us in the Annan Tournement that year.

David Bingham - DROSS. PAST IT. NON-TRYER

Des McCafferry - Also dross, had faith seeing some of the other youths coming through at Hibs. He was gutter.

Agree with rubberduck, Nixon seems pointless.

[Poet of the Macabre]

Scofield, on Oct 26 2007, 00:55, said:

Congratulations. You've passed the test. Have a coconut.

Aw, shucks

[Pompey_Par]

for the Dunfermline lot Sergio N'Diaye must go down as one of the worst as well, along with Tommas Delevarkans (spelling) who is now banging in the goals in Italy and for Lithuenia

[birdeeman]

Radford, on Oct 25 2007, 17:03, said:

Good thread!

I have five nominations for the worst loan signing though...

Ludovic Roy (St Mirren) - When Alan Miller was recalled by Blackburn Rovers in 2002 the timing couldn't have been worse as it was a week before our crunch relegation clash with Hibs at Easter Road. We were well adrift but had finally found some form and had beaten third placed Livingston 3-0 the week before. Ludo threw two goals in the back of the net (one literally!) in the opening minutes at Easter Road and we were relegated. He broke his hand the following week and went back to St Mirren. Unlike the Buddies, we don't blame our relegation on a goalkeeper though.



Craig Samson (Kilmarnock) - We were woeful that season and maybe he wasn't helped by coming into the side after Allan McGregor but I don't think he made one save in about three months.

...interesting you have two players who are at Dundee now!! hmm!

[Radford]

birdeeman, on Oct 26 2007, 07:48, said:

...interesting you have two players who are at Dundee now!! hmm!

I lifted the worst five from this thread on 22nd March 2007, before Craig Samson signed for Dundee.

[Islay]

Pompey_Par, on Oct 26 2007, 02:36, said:

for the Dunfermline lot Sergio N'Diaye must go down as one of the worst as well, along with Tommas Delevarkans (spelling) who is now banging in the goals in Italy and for Lithuenia

I could understand getting his name slightly wrong Pompey, but that isn't even close although the first letter is correct It's Tomas Danilevicius He cost Arsenal one million pounds but he was completely useless for us on loan, not doing too badly for himself now though. N'Diaye was atrocious, do you remember his diving header two yards out from the Hibs goal? The ball managed to go backwards when it looked easier to score Comedy genius!

[Skyline Drifter]

rubber_duck, on Oct 25 2007, 18:06, said:

Recent best loansters for Queens:

Stevie Murray
Jamie Adams (last season)
Ryan McStay
Robbie Neilson

Disappointing Loansters:

Dermot MacCaffrey (sp?)
Robbie Henderson
Paul McMullan
edited to add: David Bingham (thought he would contribute far, far more - waste of a wage)

Wouldn't argue much with those, though it's harsh on McCaffrey who got a lot more criticism than he deserved for me. Callaghan who here at the same time contributed far less for instance.

Robbie Neilson was far far too good for this division. Lord knows what he was doing on loan here but he was the best player in the division probably and the best player I've seen in a Queens shirt. Jamie Adams if he returns from injury as good as new could go on to be at that sort of level too. McStay did a quietly good job (so did Weir in his loan spell). Murray did ok though most of his contribution was in his first month to be honest.

I'd throw in Derek Lyle for his championship season contribution and Jamie MacDonald for steadying the ship in goal last year too.

Scofield, on Oct 25 2007, 18:13, said:

Worst

Derek Lyle (QOTS) - Nothing against him but he never played. What was the point?

Except he wasn't actually on loan so pick again.

[Islay]

Skyline Drifter, on Oct 26 2007, 10:02, said:

Except he wasn't actually on loan so pick again.

Well actually, he was on loan

[Monster]

cowdenbeath, on Oct 25 2007, 21:19, said:

Worst

STUART BOYD - Came on loan from Ayr during our championsip season and was hooked 45 minutes into his debut and never played again!

Yep.

Big Mixu sent him back right away because he was so pish, and what did Connor do?

Gave him an 18 month contract.

Boyd makes it into my Nightmare Ayr XI, and as you can imagine has some very stiff competition......

[Skyline Drifter]

Islay, on Oct 26 2007, 10:09, said:

Well actually, he was on loan

Trust me, he wasn't.

[Livi Crazy]

Best
David Fernandez - apparently not quite as his first spell, but still terrorised defences with his runs.
Tomas Pesir - Has been a good signing this season, best player we have had at Livi for years
Nick Culkin (shows how much I'm struggling) - I never liked this guy personally, however he did come in as emergency cover for Broto and did the job

Worst
Jamie Mole - Not only the worst loan we haev ever had, but the worst player, he had no skill, he was a bad mooded p***k, he could never be arsed.
can't think of any others