New signing Asa Hall believes Oxford United’s pre-season tour to Scotland has helped greatly to bring the squad together.

The former Luton Town midfielder, who impressed in the 0-0 draw at Livingston, says the group have bonded well during their time in Edinburgh.

The squad trained hard on a superb playing surface at the Hibernian Training Centre and also let their hair down after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Dumbarton, which brought them together and gave them plenty to laugh about.

Although short, and involving a lot of travel, these tours can be of great benefit.

“It’s been a good week up here in Scotland,” Hall said. “It’s been a real good work-out and really brought the lads together, which is great.

“I feel like I’ve always been here – the lads are a top bunch.”

As well as adding height to the midfield, Hall showed he is likely to get among the goals next season by several times breaking into the box from deep, in a way older Oxford supporters will remember Matt Murphy doing.

“That’s a big part of my game, going box to box,” he said. “It’s rewarding.

“I do get goals, I was a bit disappointed I didn’t get some more shots away.

“It’s going to come, the fitter I get, the more I’m going to get in there.”

Livingston proved a good test for the U’s by playing some excellent football to feet, and were a class above Dumbarton.

“They passed it around really well in midfield and played four in a diamond formation in midfield, which gave us a bit of a problem,” Hall added.

“It was new and we’re new playing together as it is, but it’s good experience and I thought we worked quite well.

“It was a good game, I enjoyed it, and there were quite a few chances.

“Pre-season’s been excellent. I think everyone could see all the lads are charging around and the fitness is going to keep coming.”

Meanwhile, have decided not to follow up their interest in triallist Ryan Crockford.

The former Reading player, who has recently been released from prison, played the second half of last week’s friendly at Didcot, and scored with a 30-yard shot in United’s 6-2 win.

Manager Chris Wilder said: “I don’t think we’ll be doing anything more with Ryan, although we will monitor his progress.

“He did well, but we have to consider whether he’s better than what we’ve got, and we’ve already got some very strong competition for places in midfield.”