Goal-getter Mackay can inspire ex-Fort pals - MacLean
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CALUM Maclean reckons his Fort William players should take inspiration from their former team-mate Brora Rangers winger James Mackay.
The 20-year-old, who signed a two-year-deal with the Cattachs last month, fired the opener as Davie Kirkwood’s side gave Championship giants Rangers a fright in a 1-1 friendly draw.
The visitors included stars of Scottish football Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller in their ranks.
Wick-based midfielder Mackay starred for Fort in the second half of the 2013-14 season, winning young player of the year for his goals and assists, and Maclean admits he’s happy to see the youngster doing well.
He said: "We haven’t replaced him yet, he’s doing very well there and I’m pleased for him.
"He’s a talented boy and I’m sure the rest of the lads here are pleased for him and hopefully they could look at him and use him as inspiration."
On Saturday Fort kicked off their pre-season friendlies with a 6-2 defeat at home to Caley Thistle under 20’s.
Maclean used the game to cast his eye over a number of trialists, and was impressed with what he saw.
He said: "We had a few trialists down so we left a few of the regular first-team guys on the bench so we could take a look at them.
"We started very well, we had a good first 15 minutes and scored but then for some reason we took our foot off the gas.
"The Caley youngsters are a very, very good side."
Iain MacLellan netted early at Claggan Park to hand the home side the initiative, but the Caley youngsters struck back through a Calum Ferguson double, Chris Blackett and Jamie Wilson to go in 4-1 up at the break
A Michael Ellis goal got Fort back into it just after half-time, but Ryan Baptie restored the three-goal cushion for the visitors before Ferguson sealed the win by striking for his hat-trick.
Despite being pleased with the showing from his trialists, Maclean has opted to use a friendly against a Lochaber Welfare League select to take another look at some players while also handing opportunities to impress to three or four others.
He said: "We’ve not signed anybody yet, but we’ve a game against a local welfare select so that’ll give us chance to look at players again and see another three or four players.
"We need a striker badly and probably another centre-half and a midfielder."
