Donegal Celtic manager Marty Tabb last night secured the capture of Declan O’Hara from Cliftonville and the return of midfielder Liam Watson.

And after sealing the signature of Mark Dickson from Crusaders, Tabb is well placed to start proving wrong those who have already labelled the Hoops as relegation certainties.

“Mark Dickson has experience, quality and is exactly the kind of player that we need,” said Tabb, whose side host Crusaders in Saturday’s season opener. “It’s the same with Declan O’Hara. They have played Premier League football and will be a real benefit to our squad.

“I played at Donegal Celtic as a teenager and I am very conscious of the short, yet proud history of the club.

“The club has great plans and ambitions and it still irks people at the club that they were put down without being relegated.

“I have already seen lots of people writing us off. Other teams, managers and pundits, but this club has always loved proving people wrong.”