Inverness appoint new manager
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
INVERNESS have moved quickly to fill their managerial vacancy after the shock resignation of Steve Munro and James MacDougall last week.
The post was advertised on their website for less than a week before club stalwart Calum MacLeod indicated his readiness to take over and commit himself to the role for the foreseeable future.
Inverness president Peter Gow was delighted to accept Macleod’s application for the post and confirmed that the new man will be in charge for the club’s next match, which is expected to be on 23rd June.
"This is great news for the club to have Calum back. We are all looking forward to the rest of the season now and hope that we can regain our momentum," he said.
Gow was also full of praise for the effort put in by the departing duo of Munro and MacDougall.
"Steve and James brought a huge passion to the club and they will be sorely missed. I fully respect their reasons for stepping down and we are delighted that they will remain at the club as their experience and knowledge will be invaluable," he said.
MacLeod is no stranger to the Bught hotseat having managed the senior side for a spell before work commitments forced him to stand down in 2008.
But now the work posting which took him away from the city is set to end shortly allowing him the time to dedicate to the cause once more.
MacLeod still plays regularly for the club’s reserve side and is expected to line-up against Beauly in tomorrow’s North Division Three match at Braeview.
The senior side, however, face an idle two weeks with the players getting time off for the Rock Ness festival tomorrow, while next Saturday the club will be hosting the Co-operative MacTavish Cup final between Lochaber and Newtonmore.
Meanwhile, Inverness have yet to decide on what action if any they intend to take after their fiery encounter with Caberfeidh last Saturday that saw Davie Glass red carded.
It has reached the quarter-final stage of the Artemis MacAulay Cup with three ties scheduled. Glenurquhart, who have never won the trophy, face Kingussie at Blairbeg for a place in the last four.
This is realistically the club’s last chance of silverware and home advantage could provide the momentum to see them through to the semis where they will face either Fort William or Kinlochshiel.
The Glen have come through a turbulent few weeks, which has seen them dumped out of the MacTavish Cup, had their momentum in the Premiership stalled and last weekend most depressingly of all, their interest in the Camanachd Cup ended at the first hurdle, defeated 2-1 by Skye in Portree.
Injury and suspension have robbed them of key players, but in front of their home crowd they have every incentive to progress.
The Aird District versus Badenoch theme is also present at Balgate where Lovat face league leaders Newtonmore in one of just two matches in the Orion Premiership.
‘More will be on a mission to avenge an early season home defeat at the hands of Lovat and also create some clear water between themselves and the chasing pack.
But Lovat have every reason to put another one over the reigning champions as a victory would see the Balgate side lead the table for the first time in their history.
They hope to be at full strength, but will be wary of a side who put seven past Beauly in last weekend’s Camanachd Cup tie.
Elsewhere, bottom clubs Kilmallie and Bute face each other at Canal Parks with a defeat leaving one side dangerously adrift at the foot of the table.
Meanwhile in the Marine Harvest leagues, Lochcarron and Beauly played last night in a rearranged North Division One match, while on Wednesday evening in North Division Two Glenurquhart pulled off a shock 2-1 home win over runaway leaders Newtonmore .
New recruit James MacPherson opened for the Glen and Ben Hosie doubled their advantage just before half-time. Drew MacDonald reduced the leeway in the 72nd, but the young Glen side held out for the victory that hoists them to second place in the table.
