Manager hails contribution to Clachnacuddin of club's veterans this season
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Jordan Macdonald has paid tribute to the more experienced members of his Clachnacuddin squad, hailing their impact on what has so far been a successful season.
After years toiling at the bottom end of the table, the Lilywhites have steered well clear of a basement battle in 2021/22, currently sitting 10th after seeing off Turriff United 3–0 last weekend.
Much has been made of the breakthrough stars at Grant Street, with James Anderson in particular catching the eye as one of the Highland League’s top scorers, but Macdonald insists it has been a group effort and credited the few players he has at his disposal older than 30 with having a big influence.
“A lot of our young boys have had a lot of praise, and deservedly so, but my more experienced guys like Martin Callum, Ryan Mackintosh, Blair Lawrie, Scott Morrison, these guys are the ones that don’t get enough credit,” Macdonald said.
“These guys are a massive part of what we’re doing.
“Ryan Mackintosh scored a great goal on Saturday that probably gets missed because James has got another double.
“These guys deserve a lot of credit as well, because they’re the ones that have been there and played in the Highland League for many years now.
“It’s not as if they’re at the end, not quite, but these guys have been brilliant with the young boys. They help to drive them on and encourage them.
“It’s everyone – not just on the park, what we’re doing there, it’s the backing we get off it as well. We’re all going in the right direction, and that’s great for the club as a whole.”
That said, it has been nice to see a new generation of Lilywhites make their impact – with more hopefully to come against Keith tomorrow.
“One of the most pleasing factors for us last Saturday was that 10 out of the 14 players we used were 20 and under,” Macdonald reasoned.
“These boys have got a platform to go and perform, and they have been outstanding.
“Everyone is putting the effort and commitment in, and it’s brilliant. Long may it continue, and hopefully it does again this Saturday.
“We’re just going along quietly trying to do what we do.
“Keith had a great result themselves on Saturday, so they will be coming up here full of confidence. We’ll have to be at our best, and hopefully we win the game.”
