Work done in pre-season will start to pay-off soon for Nairn County, insists goalkeeper Dylan Maclean
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Dylan Maclean is convinced Nairn County’s league standing will soon look a whole lot healthier – after going through the toughest pre-season of his career.
The reliable shot-stopper, now entering his ninth year at Station Park, went through the agonies as boss Steven Mackay imposed a highly demanding fitness regime prior to the big kick-off.
Goalkeepers are traditionally spared the worst of it, but there was no hiding place for Maclean as the manager included them in all the pre-season running work.
“It’s a different place now under Steven Mackay,” Maclean said.
“Fitness is definitely the biggest change. This is the fittest I’ve felt in a while. Pre-season wasn’t the easiest!
“Even though we occupy a specialised position, the goalkeepers still had to do all the running.
“It was the hardest pre-season I’ve ever done. The goalkeepers can normally sneak off to the side and go and do their own thing, but it was only when pre-season work finished that we got to go and do our stuff.
“I don’t mind doing the running, though, because I feel a lot better for it.
“I tell all the boys in training, it is a different kind of fitness being a goalkeeper – getting back up quickly, getting down quickly, but the running has me feeling good and sharper for it.”
Maclean signed a new two-year deal late last season that, if served, will take him through to 10 years at the club and a likely testimonial.
The 27-year-old construction site worker is enjoying life at Station Park more than ever, but is disappointed by Nairn’s difficult start to the season after four straight league defeats and a league cup win at Wick.
Keith tomorrow offers the chance to kick-start the campaign in a different competition – the first round of the Highland League Cup.
“The next run of games we have are ones where, hopefully, we can score goals and build confidence – and keep clean sheets,” he said.
“We had a great run last season where our tails were up and we were a force to be reckoned with, and we want to get that going again.
“Keeping the confidence high is key.
“With our mix of youth and experience, I know we are better than we are a better team than showing currently.”
