Winger-hunting York City are homing in on Scottish quarry Gordon Connelly.
It is understood the 21-year-old wideman, who pricked City's interest after starring in Airdrie's attack in the four-team tournament at Bootham Crescent, can leave the Scottish League first division club. Sources in Scotland have indicated any fee would be around £50,000 to £70,000.
Talks have been held between the clubs, who are due to meet again a week tomorrow when City officially open Airdrie's new £7 million Excelsior Stadium. But City boss Alan Little, impressed by Connelly last week, declined to comment on any speculation.
Originally on the books of Edinburgh club Hearts, Connelly came to Airdrie in 1991. The Scottish youth international skippered the Diamonds' side beaten 5-3 by Glasgow Rangers in the national BT Youth Cup final of 1994. He graduated to a lengthy run last season after Paddy Connolly's £250,000 move to St Johnstone.
Presently, he is the only Airdrie player yet to agree a new contract.
City's focus meanwhile will divert from north to east tonight and the North Riding Senior Cup semi-final at Scarborough, ko 7.30pm.
Said Little: "It promises to be more of a test defensively for our new shape and it should be a guide as to how we use the system away from home."
City have injury doubts over Wayne Hall, Gary Himsworth, Scott Jordan and new signing Steve Agnew. "They all have niggles and strains, which I might not want to risk," said Little.
Hosts Boro, who won the four-team tournament in a penalty shoot-out against Airdrie, have impressed the City boss. He said: "I have a high regard for Scarborough. They have come on a lot and when we play them they are always tough games."
Boro include their three former City players in their squad - young strikers Neil Campbell and Chris Tate, plus defender Paddy Atkinson, one of six summer arrivals at the McCain Stadium.
There will be a home debut for new player-coach Jamie Hoyland, who has signed a two-year deal with the Seasiders as the replacement for new Doncaster player-boss Ian Snodin.
City fans wishing to attend City's Worthington Cup return at Sunderland on Tuesday, August 18 are reminded that tickets go on sale from the Bootham Crescent offices on Monday during office hours.
The cost is £10 and £5 for concessions, though there will be no concessions on the day of the game.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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