Kevin Nicoll is hoping to bring Clyde team spirit to Cumbernauld United

Now the combative midfielder is hoping to help recreate that dressing room bond at his new club Cumbernauld United.

The 33-year-old is among a number of high-profile names drafted in at Guy’s Meadow as the club prepares for its first season as a senior side in the pyramid system.

After leaving Clyde last summer Nicoll spent last season in League Two again with Stirling Albion and his move to United has raised eyebrows among observers who believe he’s still capable of performing at a higher level.

But speaking to club chairman George Watson and manager Kieran McAnespie convinced him that Cumbernauld is the perfect fit for him - an ambitious club looking to go places but close enough to his Bishopton home to fit in with his work and, with a six-month-old son to care for, his domestic commitments.

“I could tell there was passion from George and saw it as a good place to go,” he said.

“Facility wise it’s a club which looks as though it’s wanting to go in the right direction and has a bit of ambition. Hopefully this year I can help them achieve what they’re wanting to achieve.”

This time last year Nicoll was celebrating after gaining promotion with Clyde.

A collar bone injury ruled him out of much of the season’s run-in, although he did get on the Broadwood pitch as a substitute in the promotion clinching play-off final against Annan Athletic.

But as club captain he still had a key role to play in developing the dressing room camaraderie at Clyde which at times now seems to have developed mythical status.

“I got promotion with Dumbarton into the Championship, which was a great achievement, but for me the changing room at Clyde is the best I’ve been in because of how close-knitted we were.

“I think that showed because we had a togetherness on the park. We socialised together, went to events at the club and let our hair down, not that I’ve got much. It just brings that wee bond and there were no individuals, everyone was part of a collective team.

“Sometimes you get wee groups but everyone was just together and there was a lot of passion, even when you went into training. Everyone was singing off the same hymn sheet.

“I had a great relationship with Danny Lennon and learned a lot from him.

“We would have our wee chats. It could be a Wednesday night, I’m just in from work when Danny phones me and we’re on the phone for a hour and a half and I’m trying to get my dinner!

“I think that’s important because that way he gets a wee feel for what’s happening in the changing room, makes sure that everything’s alright or if there’s anybody that needs a wee arm round them.”

“I say this at every team I go to, it’s all about getting a close bond between everyone.

“And that’s hopefully what I can add to Cumbernauld and hopefully, as much as I can, help the boys get a close bond and go out there and fight for a result on a Saturday.”