Highland ban Murrayfield talk ahead of crucial league clash with Glenrothes
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
HIGHLAND head coach Dave Carson has banned talk of Murrayfield ahead of two crucial league games that could steer them towards the title.
His side travel to Glenrothes this weekend before facing Gordonians on the road a week later, with wins over their two nearest challengers for the BT Caledonia League Division One crown virtually seeing them home.
The National Shield Final against Carrick is scheduled for a week after the Gordonians game at the home of Scottish rugby and Carson is keen all minds are focus on getting league business sorted first. Highland have won 13 from 13 this season, the same as tomorrow’s opponents but 10 points better off. Gordonians are seven ahead of the Canal Park club but have played four games more.
With promotion to the National League setup a priority, a win on Fife on Saturday would be the ideal stepping stone.
“We’ve banned the ‘M word’ until after the Gordonians game when you could have a couple of things tied up,” said Carson. “We thought it’s the right thing to do because while we’ve done really well so far, we don’t want to blow our chances of promotion by not concentrating on the league. The lads have got two league games now and if we win those we’ll near enough be there.”
Glenrothes have endured a torrid time against Carson’s men this season, losing both encounters against Highland by a combined score of 104-5. They lost the Caledonia Shield Final 39-5 in February before travelling to Inverness a month later, only to be sent packing on the back of a 65-0 hiding.
“I was quite disappointed with them when they came up to us,” added Carson. “I’m not sure if they were short of players or if boys didn’t want to travel.
“They’re a physical side and we have to stand up to that. We have been fantastic this season and need to get back to where we were to take care of league business.”
The loss of stand-off Ruaridh MacDonald for the rest of the season has been compounded by Rory Cross still not recovering from a hamstring injury. However, the depth of the senior pool means there are selection options for Carson and one example is Craig Irvine, who made a major contribution last Saturday coming off the bench to replace MacDonald.
The second XV are also in charge in their title race in National League Division Three North and this Saturday they face a derby against Inverness Craig Dunain.
This game will be a closer encounter than the league standings suggest and both sides have something to gain: Craig Dunain would love a victory over their local rivals and also gain points to move into the top half of the table, while Highland will be under pressure to secure a bonus point win to stay ahead of Banff.
With the first team moving back to a normal 19-man squad some players will move back to bolster the second XV, which is already looking strong.
Most of Highland’s junior sides including the Minis and Micros are on a holiday break, apart from the under-18s who are hoping to get a friendly match arranged against Aberdeen Wanderers to stay match-fit for the Cup Final on April 26.
