PAUL Hartley has made his first signing as Falkirk manager after Hamilton Accies striker Louis Longridge completed an emergency loan move to the Bairns on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal until at least 3 January 2018 after scoring one goal in nine appearances for Martin Canning’s side this season.

And former Celtic midfielder Hartley was happy to welcome Longridge, who is in line to feature in Saturday’s Championship clash with Dunfermline.

He said: “I am pleased to be able to bring Louis into the club. He is a player with a good pedigree having played a number of games in the Premiership.

“He is quick and will hopefully add a different dimension to our strike-force. We need to score more goals to help us climb the table and I believe Louis to be capable of helping us do just that.

“Louis joined us for training this morning and will go straight into contention for Saturday’s match against Dunfermline.”