EFL SkyBet Championship move for former Celtic and Falkirk Academy player

Blackburn Rovers have signed former Graeme High School pupil Connor McBride.
Stenhousemuir FC v Waterford FC. SPFL Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup.Connor McBride. 11-10-2019. Picture Michael Gillen.Stenhousemuir FC v Waterford FC. SPFL Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup.Connor McBride. 11-10-2019. Picture Michael Gillen.
Stenhousemuir FC v Waterford FC. SPFL Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup.Connor McBride. 11-10-2019. Picture Michael Gillen.

The striker, who spent last season on-loan at Stenhousemuir from Celtic, has signed a two-year deal at Ewood Park.

McBride was a pupil in the SFA Performance School programme at Graeme, under the tutelage of Ian Ross. He was selected in the Scotland under-17s squad three years ago while affiliated to Falkirk and the Forth Valley Football Academy.

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However he moved on from the Bairns to Celtic around a year later before being farmed out for first-team experience at his local side Stenhousemuir, where he began his football career in the Warriors’ youth system.

McBride worked out during the summer to ensure he was in best possible condition for the season ahead. Picture: Michael GillenMcBride worked out during the summer to ensure he was in best possible condition for the season ahead. Picture: Michael Gillen
McBride worked out during the summer to ensure he was in best possible condition for the season ahead. Picture: Michael Gillen

He played 17 times in League Two last year, alongside fellow ex-Falkirk Academy graduates Marky Munro, Botti Biabi and Ryan Blair, and scored once, at Cowdenbeath in December.

After signing on in Lancashire this week, joining former Hibs and Celtic manager Tony Mowbray, McBride said: “It’s a Premier League club that’s currently in the Championship, it’s a club with a great manager and some really talented players as well. I feel it’s the right time for me to move away from home and try something new.

“I’m looking forward to it, maturing a little bit more, and I’m sure my friends and family will come down on occasions. It's a move that I feel will give me more responsibility both on and off the pitch.”

Though he never featured at Falkirk under Peter Houston, the forward did attract the interest of Newcastle United.