Goals are proving striker has the Wright stuff for Nairn County
MATTHEW Wright says he will always look back on his time at Ross County with pride after rebooting his career in the Highland League.
The former Staggies’ striker has hit four goals in four games for Nairn County, with an impressive nine in all counting pre-season friendlies.
The 21-year-old, from Point near Stornoway, showed immense promise as an instinctive finisher at Victoria Park and famously came off the bench to net a 96th minute equaliser against Rangers in 2022.
He was lauded by then-manager Malky Mackay as a tremendous prospect, but was finally let go this summer after several lower league loan spells.
Determined to rebuild his career now, Ross Tokely’s Nairn side is proving a fruitful launchpad as he absorbs the disappointment of leaving the Premiership club.
Wright said: “I look back on my time at Ross County with nothing but pride.
“I came over from the islands at 15 and started a new journey, not knowing where it would take me, but I dedicated myself to becoming a better player and person - and I did that.
“It was time to move on. I knew that I needed a fresh start, to play regularly and get back to enjoying myself.
“I’ve got my own personal ambitions of where I want to get to in the game and if the opportunity arises again of going full time then we will have to see.
“But for now I’m loving it at Nairn and focused on progressing here.”
Nairn have made an erratic start, but Saturday’s win away to Turriff United, who had opened the campaign very brightly, was significant.
Wright struck after only three minutes, while Andrew Greig made sure of three points with a 74th minute finish.
Wright said: “I feel we can achieve a lot this season, I really do.
“I came here to win and improve this team, and that’s what we’re going to do. We have a lot of very good players.
“We’ve set our own goals, in-house, and hopefully we can enjoy some special moments.”
Nairn sit 15th in the table after two wins and three defeats, but are on the up after also defeating Caley Thistle in the North Cup.
Wright stressed: “We said before the game that it was a must-win. The manager challenged us to make it two wins from two this week.
“We took our chances and probably should have had a few more goals in the first half, but we’re very happy.
“With a managerial change and a lot of new faces, it will take time to get the boys implementing how he wants to play.
“But I feel we’ve definitely shown that, when we play our football, we can be a very good team.”
