CLYDE wing ace Willie McLaren has thanked Broadwood boss John Brown for resurrecting his career.

The 24-year-old was tipped for great things when he started out with Airdrie United as a teenager.

But his future looked bleak after a move to St Johnstone in 2006 turned sour.

Bomber, however, rescued him from the scrapheap with the promise of a new start.

Then the new season got off on a sad note when McLaren broke an ankle against Dundee at Dens Park in August.

Sheer grit, though, has seen the former Diamond come back better than ever after being placed under a tough fitness and strengthening regime by Brown.

And that graft has paid off with McLaren inspiring the Bully Wee to a five-game unbeaten run.

He said: "The gaffer has been great with me. After St Johnstone freed me, he took a punt on me and he has given me back my appetite for the game.

"To get the fractured ankle after that was a real disaster.

"I was on crutches for the best part of two and a half months and it was definitely my worst period in the game.

"But it has made me more determined to be a success and hopefully, I have made a contribution since I have come back."

McLaren added: "The gaffer has also been working me hard in the gym to try and build my upper body strength up as he says that is vital if I want to go to the next level. He has made me appreciate the discipline needed to get there."

Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Airdrie has taken Clyde to a seasonal high in joint fifth and McLaren is determined to keep the run going at Dunfermline tomorrow.

He said: "The win against Airdrie was a really big one as they are now eight points behind us and under a bit of pressure.

"But we have found a bit of form lately and I think we are now five games unbeaten in the league and Scottish Cup. It's great to look at the league table and see us sitting joint fifth with Ross County.

"Obviously we are almost a completely new side and it has taken us a bit of time to gel, but hopefully we have timed our form run just right.

"If we can get a point or better at Dunfermline tomorrow that would be another massive result."

The Broadwood wing wizard has no doubt that having 10-goal hitman Pat Clarke leading the line has provided the cutting edge for his silver service.

He said: "It is great having big Pat up front as he is a great target for my delivery and you would have to say probably one of the best finishers in the First Division.

"That is why he has 10 goals in the bag for us already this season."