Cans put Milne on the market

Forres Mechanics placed Bruce Milne on the transfer list at his own request last week and Clach have been the first Highland League club to respond with an enquiry about the value of the player.

Having featured regularly throughout his three year stint at the Mechanics, it was a surprise to many that Milne made this move citing his lack of comfort with playing wide on the right as one of the main reasons for his decision.

Although disappointed, Rowley once again showed that he is not a manager to muck about if a player seems unhappy. Having previously enquired about the player, Turriff United would seem the most likely destination for the Keith loon, but Charlie confirmed they have not been in touch at this stage.

"We have had one enquiry from a Highland League club, it was Clach and we have mentioned a price and spoken to him. We have also had one from a Junior club, who put in an offer but it didn’t match the valuation."

While Milne looks to be on his way out there was one new face at training looking to work his way into the manager’s plans, Gordon McNab. The former Lilywhites midfielder has joined the squad being put through their paces with the aim of winning a contract.

"Gordon McNab was training with us on Saturday, he was at Ross County when he was younger and he was at Elgin at the start of last year but spent a year out with college and glandular fever taking it’s toll. He is training with the aim of getting fit and pushing for a contract. We had a 20-25 minutes possession game at the end and he showed that he is capable of holding his own in the Highland League."

exceptional

On the whole, Charlie was happy with how the first pre-season session went. "I was really impressed with the lads’ fitness for their first day back. 99% of them came back and did times that were a good bit quicker than their times last year. Grapies (Graeme Grant) was the stand out.

"I have known him for a few years and he is always a fit lad but he was miles ahead of guys I was expecting to be leading the pack, which was really pleasing from his point of view. Obviously, we were a bit wary of his knee but his overall fitness was exceptional and it is the fittest I have ever seen him and that is a real boost.

He was over 40 seconds quicker than his best time last year, and that was three or four weeks in. He broke the 20 minute mark and only Neil Whyte and Bruce Milne have ever done it quicker. It was impressive, but everyone looked as though they had taken heed of what we had said to them."

Finally, the search for a keeper goes on with Clach having pipped Forres to the signature of young Caley Jags keeper Robbie Donaldson.

"Robbie got in touch to let us know last week," Rowley said, "he probably feels he has a better chance of being number one there and so I wished him all the best.

"We are still looking for a keeper, but it is the most difficult position to fill at any level especially as we have Stuart Knight there. We need a quality second keeper as Stuart is suspended for the Scottish Cup, but it is tough finding people who are happy to wait for their chance going against such a good keeper.

"You really want a quality young keeper to get some experience from training and watching him, but if they are good enough, they want to play. The other scenario is to find a keeper at the end of his career and interested in coaching, like Steve Dunn, and he was the best signing we have made in that regard, but he fancied playing every week so the search goes on."