Clachnacuddin should relish friendly test with Elgin City in Inverness
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Clachnacuddin manager Jordan Macdonald says it will be a “great test” for his players to kick off pre-season with friendlies against Elgin City and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The two SPFL clubs will visit Grant Street Park in the coming weeks, starting with Elgin travelling through to Inverness tomorrow.
For the Lilywhites, it is a chance to test themselves against a higher level of opposition, but with nothing on the line in these matches, Macdonald expects his squad to relish the opportunity.
“It was good for us that it worked out that way, and good for the players,” he stressed.
“It’s a great test for them in their first two games in pre-season. Pre-season is all about getting the minutes in the tank, working away and getting the levels up to where we need to be when we kick off.
“I think the players will enjoy it. They should – they’re back on the pitch instead of running around pitches.
“We don’t do that anyway, they get the ball with the majority of the stuff that we do.
“I think the players just want to get back out and play games, and it’s two really good games for them to have to kick off.”
Both opponents are clubs Clach have a strong relationship with.
Last season players moved to Grant Street on loan from both Elgin and Caley Thistle, so this friendly double-header is a chance to solidify the connections with each club.
Performances from those squad members who had made temporary moves to Clach were impressive, so exploring further deals is something Macdonald is considering for the upcoming campaign.
“We’ve got a relationship with Caley, they were very good to us last year,” Macdonald explained.
“We got the three boys from them, and it wasn’t just that, other stuff went on and they were brilliant with us last year.
“We got young Ben Cormack from Elgin in January, and he was excellent for us too. He had just turned 17 when he joined us, but he was excellent.
“He is a really nice kid, he works hard and did really well for us, he’s a good player.
“It’s just about building these relationships with these clubs, because you need to use the loan market.
“I don’t think we’re alone in that to be honest.
“If you’re getting offered the chance to take these clubs’ best young players on loan, you would be silly to say no.”
