Scott Davidson targeting top-half Highland League finish after ‘no-brainer’ return to Clachnacuddin
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Scott Davidson says it was a no-brainer to return to Clachnacuddin ahead of the 2024/25 Highland League season.
The 29-year-old had travelled to Australia in February, signing for Mandurah City – the same club that former Scotland international Leigh Griffiths is affiliated to.
However, after struggling to settle on the other side of the world, he has returned to the Highlands, signing a pre-contract with the Lilywhites that will officially take effect on July 1.
Having played with current Clach boss Conor Gethins at Nairn County, the pair had kept in touch over recent months.
That made the decision to return to Grant Street significantly easier for Davidson, who took his first steps in football with Clach.
“I can’t wait – I’m back to where it all started,” he said.
“I know Conor really well, we’re quite close. When we were at Nairn, you could see that he had played at a higher level – his football brain is something else really.
“You can see the direction Clach are going in with him in charge, and it’s something I wanted to be a part of.
“I’ve always kept an eye on Clach’s results, because it’s a club that’s close to my heart.
“It’s where I came through the youth set-up prior to going to Caley, so I’ve always wanted them to do well – unless I was playing against them of course!
“I think it will be more special this time around. Football is a funny game, because I always had it in mind to go back but I didn’t expect to be back at Clach this early.
“I always had it in mind to go back, but I didn’t expect it to be now. It was a no-brainer – I like the direction the club are going in, and it’s time to kick on now. Hopefully next season we can get into the top half of the table.”
Davidson’s Australian adventure came to a premature end when he began to feel homesick, which prompted him to return to the Highlands to reunite with friends and family.
That has teed him up to sign for Clach, the club where he became one of the youngest players in Scottish Cup history at just 15 years old.
Now, with much more experience under his belt, supporters may expect him to play a mentoring role to the likes of James Anderson and Connor Bunce – but Davidson himself believes the attackers at Gethins’ disposal are already of a very high quality.
“I think these boys are already there,” he reasoned.
“I’ve still got things to learn, as do they, but Conor sent me a list of the forwards we have at the club: myself, James Anderson, Conor Bunce, Lewis Mackenzie, Troy Cooper, Allan Macphee.
“We can cause a lot of problems for any team in the league, so I’m pretty confident that we’ll do very well.
“I just hope I can bring more goals! I have experience, which is mad saying that at 29 and being at the club all those years ago.
“I hadn’t cemented myself in the Highland League then, so at least this time around I’m giving it a proper go and coming back to the club with a lot more Highland League experience.”
