The Greens' head coach was left dismayed following the release of the fixtures for National Division Two next season, especially with Highland facing a difficult early test against Waysiders Drumpellier in Glasgow.

They also have two away trips on consecutive weekends at the turn of the year, while the final game of the campaign is on the road as well.

On paper, it would appear a less than favourable schedule for Highland, particularly as they struggled away from home last season and as a result found themselves languishing near the foot of the table.

Although disappointed by the fixture list, MacKintosh was heartened by a healthy number of 24 players who turned up for the start of pre-season training on Tuesday, while another 13 were unable to make it due to a combination of injuries and holidays.

He knows only too well, however, that failure to remedy Highland's travel sickness could mean it is yet another difficult season for the Canal Park side.

"The league is definitely going to be much stronger this season," he stated. "The two teams that have come down, as well as the two clubs promoted, are all going to be difficult to play against.

"We know that we've got to do better than last season, but if the first training session is anything to go by then the signs are certainly encouraging.

"The problem last season was that we made a poor start. While it's going to be very hard going to Waysiders, a decent result could give us something to build on.

"It's a big game for us in Glasgow, especially as we've not won a game there for a good few years. However, we've brought new players in and from that point of view I'm quite optimistic.

"I feel that finding some consistency will be the key for us, particularly away from home because in the last few seasons we've really struggled for numbers when we've had to travel.

"However, we've been doing a few team-building exercises in a bid to improve the spirit. The players had a paintballing day at Bogbain, while we're also planning to visit somewhere along the west coast in August for a camping trip, so hopefully this will encourage the players to show that little bit more commitment."

In preparation for the season ahead, MacKintosh will put his players through a gruelling fitness programme before their first friendly match at home to Oban Lorne on Saturday 1st August.

To assist with this, ex-RAF man Paddy Ester, who now works for the air force recruitment office in Inverness, has been brought on board to help make sure the players are at peak fitness levels before the campaign begins in earnest.

"He will be there twice a week and I'm sure that with his knowledge then he'll prove to be a really good addition to the coaching staff," added MacKintosh, who has also drafted Ali Davidson on to his coaching team.

"All the players have come back in reasonably good shape and I was impressed with the fitness levels on Tuesday, although there is still work to be done and that's why Paddy has come in."

After playing Oban, the Greens travel to Ellon for a tournament on 8th August, while they are also hoping to play Ross Sutherland at home three days later.

Canal Park will play host to Highland's other two pre-season encounters as well with a match against Hillhead/Jordanhill on 15th August and Dalziel on 22nd August.

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