The 23-year-old striker, who still has one year left on his contract with the Highland League side, revealed he was told by Mackay to stay away from pre-season training and matches and now believes he has played his last game for the Lilywhites.

Duncanson, who ended last season as Clach's top scorer with 23 goals, continued training and playing for the club after handing in a transfer request about a month ago, but was surprised to be told this week his presence was an unwanted distraction and a disruption.

"I spoke to the chairman (David Dowling) on Saturday after our game against Orkney," said Duncanson, who played in the 3-0 win. "I made it clear that if they didn't let me speak to teams then I would have to sit out my contract.

"I wouldn't have been as happy as I was last year but I would have trained and played and not let it affect me and he seemed to understand where I was coming from.

"But I got a phone call from the manager on Sunday night and I explained the situation to him," he continued, adding he was offered a three-year extension to his current contract, with release clauses, which he did not want.

"He (Mackay) then said not to turn up for training on Monday and that I wouldn't be involved in the game against Inverness City. He said he would review the situation by this weekend and let me know, but I told him basically to just forget it.

"I didn't want to leave on bad terms and I never ever said that I would never play for Clach again, but that phone call on Sunday just threw me a bit. Maybe I shouldn't have reacted like that but I definitely don't think that the manager should have.

"I feel it is sad that it has got to this stage because I have got a lot to be thankful to Clach for because that was my first real chance at Highland League level," continued the former Golspie Sutherland forward.

"I'd like to be gone before the season starts and if you ask me, Saturday was my last game for Clach."

q Marius Niculae.

It is understood the Merkinch side are considering offers from Keith and Deveronvale, for the player who has also been linked to Nairn County, Forres Mechanics and Buckie Thistle.

"I made it clear at the end of the season that I wanted to speak to other clubs so I could see what options were there in case I missed a good opportunity," commented Duncanson, who lives in Ardersier. "I'm looking to push myself on as a player and I've got ambition to obviously win things, like everybody does."

Duncanson is set to talk to former league champions Keith today and would be a valuable addition to their squad, according to club president Sandy Stables. "We've watched him for a wee while and he certainly looks like a very good prospect," he said.

Last week, Clach coach Rod Houston declared the striker was not for sale and that he wanted to keep the better players at the club.

Yesterday he was adamant he did not know of any deals involving Duncanson. "I've been told nothing," he said. "All summer all we've heard is talk about Robbie Duncanson. We have a number of other players at the club and we have to look after them and get them prepared for the season. It's not a one player club."

Clach chairman David Dowling added bids had been made from various clubs throughout the summer, but it was left to Mackay to deal with, as was his relationship with his players.

Despite repeated attempts, Mackay was not available for comment.

* Clach will be without John MacAskill and Neil Gibb through injury when they host possibly an under-19s Caley Thistle side at Grant Street Park in the North of Scotland Cup first round on Monday (7.30pm kick-off). Meanwhile, forward John McLeod has also been promoted from Clach under-19s to the senior side.

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