Veteran defender joins until end of the season

The centre-back had been transfer-listed by Cliftonville and with Mark Haughey and Jonny Magee out injured, boss Gary Hamilton has moved to patch up his back line by signing the 31 year-old.

Convery began his career in Glenavon’s youth set-up before he was snapped up by Glasgow Celtic in 1997. He made one first team appearance at Parkhead and was handed U18 and U21 international recognition during his time in Scotland.

After a brief loan spell at Falkirk, Convery returned home and signed for Portadown where he spent eight years and captained the side to the CIS Cup victory in 2009.

The centre-back joined Newry City on a two-year deal in 2010 but when they were relegated last season, he left to join Cliftonville.

“Hopefully we’ll have somebody else on board in the next couple of days. We’re in talks with a centre-back and hopefully we’ll have him on board until the end of the season,” Gary Hamilton had told the ‘MAIL’ before tying up the deal on Tuesday evening.

However, the gaffer’s attempt to bring in a former professional footballer has broken down after the player in question couldn’t get away from his coaching job.