Dumbarton midfielder Kyle Hutton has revealed that he turned down offers from other clubs to stay at the Sons for the upcoming season.

Only Hutton and Conor Brennan remain at the club from last season after signing new deals in the past couple of weeks.

And, with key players players such as Calum Gallagher and Ross Forbes opting to join League One rivals in Airdrieonians and Forfar Athletic respectively, Hutton is keen to see who boss Jim Duffy brings in to replace them.

One player who Sons fans and Hutton himself will be hoping signs up again is Sonstrust Player of the Year Stuart Carswell.

READ MORE: Jim Duffy continues Sons rebuild with three new additions

Duffy recently told Reporter Sport that the 25-year-old had verbally agreed to stay at the club and would complete paperwork when he returned from his holiday.

And Hutton has his fingers crossed that Carsy will sign on the dotted line. 

He said: “I had a couple of offers over the summer but I’m happy to stay at Dumbarton - it was the only place I was going to sign.

“Now I’m looking forward to seeing who else we sign because we’re building almost a completely new team. It’ll be interesting to see who comes in.

“Carsy and I get on well and I think everybody knows that.

“He was on holiday but I’m sure when he gets back and sorted he’ll be signing as well.

“I enjoy playing with him and we complement each other well - but obviously I do most of the work for him!

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: Hutton is hoping Stuart Carswell will pen deal to remain at the Sons this week (Photo: Andy Scott)Hutton is hoping Stuart Carswell will pen deal to remain at the Sons this week (Photo: Andy Scott)

“All joking aside, though, he’s great to play with so it’ll be great to see him signed up again.”

Currently only nine players are signed up for the 2019/20 campaign and with pre-season training beginning today, there could be plenty of transfer activity this week.

Four of Duffy’s new signings have arrived from teams who are outside of the top four leagues in the country with players coming in from Cumbernauld Colts, Pollok, Edusport Academy and Cumbernauld United.

Hutton is currently the experienced head in the squad at the age of 28 and is looking forward to passing on his experience to the younger members of the squad as the former Rangers midfielder also admitted that Duffy’s experience was needed last season to drag Sons away from the relegation zone in the final few weeks. 

He said: “It was the same last season with a lot of younger players in the team. I’ve got used to being one of the older heads in the team.

“I take it in my stride and try to use my experience and pass it on to the other boys.

“It’s a tough job to replace the boys who have left because that’s most of our goals.

“It’s all about getting the balance of experienced heads at this level and young, hungry players with something to prove.

READ MORE: Duffy adds first new signings of the summer

“Jim’s giving them the chance to come in and play regular football at a good standard so it’ll be good for them and their careers.

“As soon as Jim came in last season he addressed the problem in defence.

“In League One it’s really important that you have a settled back four.

“He’s in from the start this season so it should be good.”

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