TEAM boss Cami Brown admits changes were needed to keep the club’s league title defence hopes alive.
The Allied Vehicles Tigers have brought in Matic Ivacic and Jason Garrad to replace Paul Starke and Ace Pijper.
Both riders will make their debuts against Scunthorpe in the Cab Direct Championship at Ashfield on July 19.
Brown concedes that it was a difficult decision to part company with two riders who have served the club well.
He said: “It’s not been a pleasant task to release Paul and Ace.
“Both are terrific guys and it’s never an easy decision. But the bottom line is that we needed to find a way to strengthen the side.
“Anyone connected with the club will appreciate that the side has looked vulnerable and particularly weak away from home.
“Paul and Ace have really struggled at times, that’s been very clear.
“Paul has been a great servant for the club for over two seasons. He’s ridden through the pain barrier for us and it’s particularly hard to let him go.
“Trust me, we have worked harder than ever before to strengthen the side over the past few weeks. We have to take a chance to make sure we get a play-off place, it’s as simple as that.
“The way it works out is that we had to make the changes now because our team average becomes higher this week. To accommodate Matic we had to lose Ace as well. However we very much hope to see Ace back in Glasgow colours at some point in future.”
Ivacic, 30, has a strong record on the continent having won the Slovenian national championship four years in succession, ending former Grand Prix star Matej Zagar’s 18-year reign. He also races for his country in the Speedway of Nations at Belle Vue this week.
Brown added: “Matic comes in with the same attitude as Marcin Nowak. He’s desperate to fulfil his dream of racing in the UK and wanted to come to Glasgow.
“He’s watched the racing at Ashfield on YouTube and is very excited about becoming a Tiger.”
Garrad, 36, currently races for Oxford Chargers in the National Development League and recently guested for Berwick against the Tigers.
Brown said: “Jason is also an experienced rider in the third tier and is keen to make his mark in the Championship and he wants to make the most of the opportunity.
“We feel he can come in and consistently pick up points home and away.”