Shinty - Manager looking forward to the challenge of taking charge of Lovat for new season
IAIN Nicolson says he is looking forward to leading Lovat into a new era after being appointed as the new manager of the Premiership outfit.
The 34-year-old has been named as the new man in charge of the Kiltarlity club following Jamie Matheson deciding to step down as manager.
Nicolson, who works for Police Scotland in Inverness, takes up his first management role with Fraser Gallacher appointed manager of Lovat’s Second Team.
Nicolson, who played in a defensive midfielder role with Lovat previously, has taken up a new role with Police Scotland which will allow him to dedicate his weekends to being manager at Balgate.
He says he is relishing the opportunity of becoming manager of a top flight club and is looking forward to the challenge.
He said: “ In the last couple of years I have been thinking about making the step up into a management role. It has always been in the back of my thoughts.
“Then when Jamie unexpectedly took a step back, I put my name forward to the committee and they selected me and that was it.
“This is the first test of my managerial capabilities.
“ I haven’t had experience in shinty roles, but my current job helps me on how to deal with people which might be in my favour.”
This year marks 10 years since Lovat last won a major trophy when they won the Camanachd Cup in 2015. Since then, they have reached five of the last seven Camanachd Cup finals but lost on each occasion. It included last season when they lost 3-2 to Kingussie.
With changes in management and the playing squad, Nicolson is keen to temper any hopes of winning silverware this season.
He said: “It is everyone’s ambition to get silverware. Because we have lost a few people, including experienced players, we have to be more realistic in how we approach this season.
“It might be a case of consolidating ourselves in the league and if we get a good cup run then all the better. “There is not the expectation this season for us to reach another Camanachd Cup final and win it at this moment of time.
“But we have enough talent in the squad to do it, it is whether they buy into my way of playing and tactics.
“As a whole club, this is a transitional year, with Fraser Gallagher coming in to take charge of the second team. There are still a good core of players in the first team, but I want to introduce young players from the second team.”