Simple message for Highland's Raptors in chase for league title as they face Aberdeen Grammar 2nd's in Inverness
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COACH Nathan McLaughlan knows his Highland Raptors side have a simple task – win their remaining games and they are Caledonia North Two champions.
Highland’s 2nd XV have four games to play to complete their campaign, starting with Aberdeen Grammar 2nds tomorrow at Canal Park in a match that has been rescheduled from October 23.
They have found themselves in the title hunt for the last few seasons that have gone ahead, and the Raptors can find themselves back at the top of the pile if they keep winning – a scenario that is pleasingly straightforward for McLaughlan.
“If we win our games in hand, then we win the league,” he said.
“It’s a nice clear message to be giving the guys.
“As long as we focus on ourselves and play well in our games then that’s us winning the league.
“Of course that’s easier said than done with four games to play, but I would much rather be in that position than out worrying about other results.
“I’ve always been of the mindset that we focus on our own performance rather than worrying about what’s going on around us. It’s a much better message, and a much better way to be approaching games.”
McLaughlan intends to resist the temptation to flood his squad with otherwise inactive first team players, but he is well aware that he cannot take Grammar’s line up – or league position – for granted.
“They managed to get a really good result against Moray a few weeks back, and Moray are one of the stronger teams in the league,” he reasoned.
“In previous games they have struggled against other teams, so it’s really difficult to know what to expect.
“We know, being a second 15 team, that player availability can vary massively week to week. I would imagine Grammar are exactly the same, so it’s easy to look at the table and think they’re at the bottom, it should be a straightforward game, but I don’t expect that at all.”
