IF you don’t want to be at the club then you are free to go.

That is the message from Cumnock boss John McKeown who agreed to let skipper Chris McKnight go to Troon and is on the verge of allowing goalie Ally Semple to go elsewhere too.

McKnight requested to leave Townhead Park and Troon stepped in to take the midfielder to Portland Park.

Speaking to the Chronicle this week Nock gaffer, McKeown said: “I felt it was time to move Chris on. I felt he needed a wee change of scenery and it probably works out for both Chris and the club. Chris wanted to play Premier Division football and asked to be made available so we agreed.” McKeown has taken the decision to appoint James Lundie as the new club captain, saying: “He’s Mr Reliable and he’s really good with the younger players. He’s one I can depend on so he will take over as club captain.” The Nock was gutted when goalie Semple approached him and also asked to be made available. He said: “I’m disappointed with the way it has worked out with Ally. I played with him when I was at Cumnock and Ally was a young player. He’s one of the top goalies in the juniors but if you don’t want to be here then you can go.” Stopper Ryan Kennedy has also left the club and signed on at Lesmahagow. McKeown said: “Ryan’s from Motherwell and he has only recently gone self employed so it’s a bit too much for him to commit. He was honest with me and just said ‘I’ll stay if you want but I can’t commit as much as I should’. It’s a shame because Ryan was very good for us and he played a large part of the season with a hernia, but that’s just the type of player he is.” There is good news for the Townhead boss as he edges closer to capturing highly rated striker Aiden Malone. Malone was most recently at Lowland League team BSC Glasgow where he was their top scorer last term as well as their player of the year. McKeown said: “He is an interesting player. He epitomises what I feel we need right now. It was my priority o bring in a bit of competition as well as goals and that’s what Aiden provides.” Nock get their pre-season fixtures away to St Anthony’s on July 18.