MICHAEL TIDSER has continued to reshape his squad and backroom team at Kelty Hearts with the addition of three new recruits.

The new player / boss, who took over the top job after John Potter departed to take up the role of technical director with Raith Rovers, has added Craig Johnston and Jamie Walker to his pool, taking the number of on-field signings he has made to six.

Johnston, 28, has arrived at his hometown club from Montrose, where he has spent the last six years, helping them win the League Two title in 2018, for an undisclosed fee.

He has been joined by 22-year-old left back Walker, who has left Lowland League outfit, Caledonian Braves, to move to New Central Park following the expiry of his contract.

The duo follow former Cove Rangers goalkeeper, Kyle Gourlay; ex-Clyde striker, Ross Cunningham; defender Adam Corbett, who has moved from Stenhousemuir; and the experienced Stefan McCluskey, who has arrived from Forfar Athletic, in agreeing to become part of Tidser's new-look squad.

Tiwi Daramola, who ended up with a staggering 83 goals in all competitions last season, has also arrived from East of Scotland League, Third Division winners, Bo'ness Athletic, having signed a three-and-a-half year deal in January, before returning to them on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Johnston, who began his career with Cowdenbeath, scored 34 goals in 180 appearances for Montrose, with their boss, Stewart Petrie, describing him as a player whose "enthusiasm, energy and pace on the park always took you to the edge of your seat".

"I'm delighted it's finally happened. I'm glad to be here," the forward, who spent a brief time on loan at New Central Park when the club was still a junior side, told Kelty Hearts TV.

"I've been in Kelty all my life, 28 years. Actually playing for the club where I've stayed all my life, it means a lot.

"It's that wee bit added pressure, but it's good pressure to have, playing for your village team."

Walker, who can play on the left side of defence or midfield, was part of the youth set-up at Rangers, before moving on to Partick Thistle and St Mirren, before making his senior football breakthrough with Annan Athletic.

He joined Caledonian Braves in the summer of 2020, and told Kelty Hearts TV: "It's been brilliant. Obviously, we're just back in for pre-season, so getting going again, it's been really good. It's been tough, but good.

"My time at the Braves was what I needed I think, to get a lot of games under my belt in men's football, and get that experience that I needed."

Tidser has also added to his staff, bringing in sports therapist, Jamie McDonald, who previously held the same role at Darvel.

He joins newly-appointed assistant manager, Kevin McDonald, goalkeeping coach, David McGurn, and Calum Wood, on the coaching team ahead of the new season.

Meanwhile, one of the club's highest-profile summer departures has found a new club.

Kallum Higginbotham, who joined Kelty in the summer of 2020, has agreed a move to Lowland League, Tranent Juniors, after leaving New Central Park at the end of his contract.

The 34-year-old, who memorably scored the winning goal as Kelty knocked holders St Johnstone out of the Scottish Cup in 2022, netted in the first leg of their pyramid play-off final victory over Brechin City in 2021.

That helped the club to an historic promotion to the SPFL, after they won the Lowland League, and the experienced Englishman scored seven goals as they won League Two at the first time of asking.

Last season, Higginbotham scored seven times in 32 appearances, across all competitions, as they finished eighth and secured survival in their first League One season.

He will team-up at Tranent with Jordon Forster, who has also left Kelty.