New City boss excited by challenge ahead
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JORDAN MacDonald knows the challenge ahead is a difficult one, but Inverness City’s new boss is ready to fully embrace life in the areas top flight of junior football next season.
The Highland capital club confirmed MacDonald, who has been a player at the club over the previous five-and-a-half years, as Stevie Graham’s successor following a committee meeting on Wednesday night.
He will be helped by assistant manager Stuart Pearce, a former City player, and player/coaches Michael Mackenzie and Iain Young.
For MacDonald, who conceded he is still undecided over carrying on playing, it is something of a step into the unknown having never managed before.
But having turned out for the likes of Caley Thistle, Elgin City, Clach, Brora Rangers and Fort William, MacDonald certainly has enough experience on the playing side.
He may only be 31-year’s-old, but MacDonald is relishing the task ahead and hopes the rest of the City squad are as well as they prepare for their first-ever venture into the North Superleague next season.
"It’s daunting, of course it is," said MacDonald, who plans to speak to Graham’s assistant Gary Reid and goalkeeping coach Barry McCraw regarding their respective futures at City. "However, it’s exciting at the same time.
"It’s something new for me, but it’s also something new for the players next season as well. We all just can’t wait to get going.
"I’m only 31, so I suppose it’s quite young to be a manager, but it’s just something that I have always wanted to do.
"I made my interest known to the club’s committee and to the people I wanted to bring in to work alongside me. We’re just delighted to be given this chance.
"There’s a lot of work to be done in a relatively short space of time. The boys will probably have another two or three weeks off before we get them back in for pre-season.
"I definitely feel that the squad we have in place is good enough to make an impact in the North Superleague. It’s just about getting the players to grasp that chance.
"However, I’m sure the lads will be fine, I’ve got no doubt about that."
Chairman Alastair Wardhaugh hopes the appointment of MacDonald will help to maintain continuity as City look to establish themselves as one of the regions top clubs.
"We had a few other applications, but the concern of the committee was that some of them might just simply be using the club as a stepping stone and not be here that long," he said.
"We also felt that someone coming in may not necessarily keep the squad that won promotion for us last season together and we didn’t want that to happen. Jordan, however, will do that, although he knows we need to strengthen for next season."
