COWDENBEATH boss Colin Nish is targeting further signings after landing Livingston midfielder Kieran Gibbons on transfer deadline day.

The 20-year-old former Aberdeen youngster has agreed a loan move until the end of the season on Monday and will go straight into the squad for this Saturday's clash at Airdrieonians.

Gibbons, who captained the Dons' under-20s side, has made 20 appearances for the West Lothian side since joining in the summer but has fallen down the pecking order after David Hopkin took over as manager.

Nish was delighted to finally secure Gibbons' signature after revealing he tried to bring him to Central Park in the summer, but told Times Sport that he is still looking to add to his squad.

The arrivals of Gibbons, Ross Caldwell and Declan McDaid have been countered by the departures of influential duo Andy Murdoch and Gordon Smith, and Nish said: “We have been trying to get a few players in but I am delighted to get Kieran over the line.

"We were looking at him in the summer before he went to Livingston and he's an all-action, tough midfielder who will compliment the rest of the boys we have in the squad. He captained Aberdeen's under-20s and I believe was highly regarded there, and he has been playing for Livingston this season, so it's not as though he doesn't have experience.

"But he is young and has a point to prove and we're trying to get players who are hungry and give them an opportunity.

“He's a player who I believe will help the squad but I had another couple of targets in mind who we weren't quite able to get. A lot of teams go for similar players in January so it is a difficult time, and I wanted to sign someone who could make a difference and improve us.

"I'm still looking for a couple of others but it has to be the right person; there's no point in bringing in players for the sake of it. I'll keep an eye on it and we'll see what happens over the next few weeks.”

As well as players who is out of contract on or before January 31, SPFL Championship, League One and League Two clubs can sign players outwith the transfer window on an 'emergency loan' for a minimum of 28 days up to a maximum period of 93 days.

Deals can be done until March 31 and Nish continued: “We had always intended on bringing in Declan McDaid and Ross Caldwell to add to our squad and not to replace Gordon Smith and Andy Murdoch. I'm looking to replace them, and up front is a position where I feel we've not got a lot of options.

"We've got Greig Spence, Ross Caldwell and Craig Johnston but we probably need another one.

“It was a surprise that we lost Gordon because he could only play for us or Dumbarton this season unless he moved abroad, and he was enjoying his football with us.

"He will be a tough one to replace, as is Andy, because the way he played was a wee bit different from the others.

“I'm pleased with the players that we have brought in and we won't stop trying because we're ambitious and want to get back to the Championship as quickly as we can.”