Former Inverness Caley Thistle and Ross County midfielder Scott Allardice leaves Europe for new challenge at Thai League One outfit Ratchaburi FC
Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County midfielder Scott Allardice has found a new club on the other side of the world – where he is competing in the Asian equivalent of the Europa League.
The 27-year-old made exactly 100 appearances for Caley Thistle between 2020 and 2023, when he moved across the Kessock Bridge to sign for Highland rivals Ross County.
With the Staggies, he made 38 appearances across all competitions in an injury hit couple of years, before leaving as a free agent this past summer.
After months of uncertainty, he has finally landed on his feet with a new club – and an entirely new challenge.
Allardice has joined Thai top flight outfit Ratchaburi FC, who were founded in 2004 and have had a steady rise to the top of their national game ever since.
Joining the league set-up in 2006, a couple of years of struggling in the lower divisions was turned around by investment from the Nitikarnchana family.
Ratchaburi would then win successive promotions in 2011 and 2012 to reach Thailand’s top flight, gradually working their way into becoming a top half side and fighting for continental qualification.
After reaching the country’s top division, they were managed by the likes of former 72-cap Germany international Christian Ziege and two-time Champions League winner Marco Simone,
Continental football would come in the 2021/22 campaign, when Ratchaburi would play in the AFC Champions League for the first time.
After a fourth-place league finish and runs to two cup semi finals last season, the club are back in continental action this season in the AFC Champions League Two – the equivalent of the UEFA Europa League – where Allardice made his club debut.
Writing on LinkedIn, the midfielder wrote: “One week, not knowing what’s around the corner – and the next, making my first appearance in the AFC Champions League Two with Ratchaburi.
“Playing on a different continent, facing new challenges, and pushing through a long summer of hard work with no end in sight – opportunities like this are exactly why you stay ready.”