Lewis footballer Andrew MacLeod starring for Clachnacuddin on loan from Ross County
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Whatever they are feeding their young out in the Western Isles, Jordan MacDonald would not mind it becoming the staple diet of Clach’s youth academy.
The Lilywhites’ manager has been thrilled by the impact of Ross County loanee Andrew MacLeod over the last few matches, culminating in Saturday’s man of the match display in the win over Huntly.
The 17-year-old central midfielder from Lewis honed his skills with Back FC, before grasping his mainland move to the Premiership club, on a 24-month apprenticeship, in June this year.
He follows in the footsteps of a number of league club recruits from the isles in both the men’s and women’s game, most notably Matthew Wright and Adam Mackinnon by the Dingwall outfit.
MacDonald has certainly been blown away by MacLeod’s performances since regaining his place in the team after injury.
“Young Andrew from Ross County earned his third start in a row in the 2–0 win over Huntly and the guy is just so good on the football, so composed,” the manager said.
“His passing is really good and he works hard, gets stuck in alongside Martin Callum who will run through brick walls for the team.
“Caley Thistle’s young Robbie Thompson was back to his best as well, but the really pleasing aspect was the team’s workrate off the ball.”
MacLeod is another teenager who Ross County have high hopes for, along with the aforementioned Montrose loanees and Inverness born central defender and Scotland under-17 cap Dylan Smith.
“We got him involved when he first came here and he was getting good minutes in the first couple of matches,” MacDonald recalled.
“He took an injury and by the time he came back our two central midfielders were doing well.
“He was in our squad, but we couldn’t get him into the team.
“After the Strathspey game, we had to make changes and he was one of the ones who came back in.
“He’s so good on the ball, with such an excellent range of passing. The composure he shows for a young man is incredible and his last three performances have been excellent.
“He got man of the match on Saturday as well, so that’s another wee confidence boost for him.”
The desire and endeavour Clach showed in the much-needed victory rekindled hope of a push up the table for MacDonald’s side, who sit only four points adrift of ninth place Turriff United.
Confidence is key, and MacDonald felt it seep back through the rank ahead of this weekend’s daunting test away to Brora Rangers.
“We hope the win gives them that extra bit of confidence,” MacDonald said.
“The clean sheet was massive as well. My back four was excellent, as was young keeper Dawid Sienkowski – thrown in 20 minutes before kick off after Dan Rae was injured in the warm-up.
“Martin Mackinnon will be back this weekend, but Dawid, at just 18, showed great maturity and performed really well. Coming in so soon before kick-off may have helped with the nerves, but we were thrilled with him.”
