Blow as Jags duo quit to follow ex-boss

Forres Thistle manager Iain Macleod is relishing pre season like never before and he has already put his squad through a weeks worth of training as they look to dust off the cobwebs and prepare themselves for the Superleague-First Division play off on August 4.

The new man was full of praise for his squad after the first few sessions which have allowed the majority of the squad to start recharging the batteries for the upcoming campaign. He said, “We have just over a week if pre season training now and it is going well. We have had a couple of boys missing each weekend but overall we have had a good turnout and I have been pleased with the efforts of the boys.”

There as no such thing as the post season for a manager and already Macleod and his assistant Steve McIntosh have been working hard to bring in new faces and keeping a close eye on the talent in the Forres and Nairn District Welfare games.

So far there are two names who are topping the arrivals list as the Jags boss revealed, “We have brought in Andrew Taylor who was with Burghead last year, he is from Forres and although he is carrying a wee injury at the minute he will hopefully join us in training in the next couple of weeks.

“Also Andrew McIvor who has been with us a couple of times looks set to return having sorted out his issues with work commitments. Although he has been around the squad in the past having him back is like adding a new face and he can play in a number of positions so he is a great addition from a managers viewpoint.”

However the delight at the two new arrivals was somewhat tempered by the loss of two key players from the Jags squad as, once again, Highland League clubs have came calling for some of Logie Park’s top players.

“Lee Davidson and Chris Ross have signed for Lossiemouth which is a big blow to us. Obviously we don’t want to stand in the way of the players who have the chance to go to the Highland League and we wish them both all the best but it is a major chunk of our defence gone, losing our centre half and sweeper.

“We are looking at how to address that and have a couple of other boys coming in so we will hopefully be able to replace them but at this stage it is about getting a good look at the guys who have the potential to come in rather than naming any names.”

With the preparations underway the Jags will also squeeze in three games ahead of the crucial play off game against Deveronside as Macleod revealed, “Due to the Junior rules we can officially start our pre season games on the 21st and we have three scheduled for after that point.

“We play Strathspey Thistle on July 24 before playing Nairn St Ninian on the 28th. We then have Lossie on Tuesday, July 31 so we have three games in the week leading up to the play off game.

“We will have a good bit of training done by then and having those three matches will give everyone a good run out which is important to add some match fitness to the core work that will be done ahead of that. They are also games the lads should enjoy.”