McKay could be key for 'Cuik

PENICUIK are hoping the loan signing of young Hearts defender Brad McKay can help them recover from a shaky start in the East Region Premier Division.

The 18-year-old's services have been secured until the end of December and he is likely to go straight into the team for tomorrow's trip to Whitburn.

"I'm needing a hernia operation so Brad is probably going to fill in for me straight away," said co-manager Craig Meikle.

Penicuik lost to Glenrothes and Arniston in their opening two league games and Meikle admits they need to be more consistent in order to start picking up points.

"Against Glenrothes, we were 3-0 down after 30 minutes but then dominated the rest of the game and were unfortunate in the end not to get a draw," he added. "Then we were 1-0 up at half-time against Arniston but, after a couple of players had to go off with injuries, we lost our way a bit."

Whitburn, who now have Mattie Coulter in charge following their relegation from the Super League, have hit four goals in each of their two league games so far.

They still lost the first of them to Ballingry but bounced back last weekend to beat Glenrothes.

"It is going to be another tough one for us," admitted Meikle. "Whitburn are scoring a lot of goals and our defending has been poor so we need to get that sorted."