HARTLEPOOL United boss Neale Cooper last night made his sixth signing in a little over two months.

Ex-Aberdeen and Rangers midfielder Cooper signed Celtic midfielder Ryan McCann on a two-year deal. Cooper's interest in the attacking midfielder has been long-standing and he finally completed the move last night. However, the 21-year-old won't be part of the Pool squad which sets off this morning for tomorrow's game at Luton.

Cooper feels he still needs to catch up with the rest of his squad in terms of fitness and is likely to make a couple of reserve appearances before making the step-up. McCann has only made a single appearance for Celtic's first-team - a 2-0 SPL win over Dundee United in May 2000 - but made 13 appearances for St Johnstone on loan last season, when he caught the eye of Cooper.

While Cooper was in charge of Ross County at the start of last season, McCann netted for St Johnstone against Cooper's side. Cooper, who has enjoyed a solid start to his managerial career in England, has already signed Micky Nelson, Marco Gabbiadini, Paul Robinson, Gavin Strachan before last night's swoop.

* Darlington striker Glen Robson will be hoping to show Rochdale what they missed in tomorrow's Third Division clash at Spotland, writes LEE HALL.

Five years after he was shown the door by Dale, where he made just 11 appearances in two years, the Sunderland-born forward returns to the club with Quakers.

The former Blyth man, signed by Quakers boss Mick Tait this month after a successful trial spell when he netted twice in three games, has yet to score and will be looking to get off the mark against Alan Buckley's side. However, Robson's chances of starting will hinge on whether Tait keeps faith with Matt Clarke, who was on target in the win over Leyton Orient.