Return to Highland League football suits Lossiemouth new signing and ex-Forres Mechanics man Ross Paterson
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THE step-up from junior football to Highland League isn’t a daunting one for new Lossiemouth signing Ross Paterson to make.
The central midfielder played for his hometown Forres Mechanics before and during his time at university in Edinburgh, and more recent played his football for Forres Thistle.
There was always a hunger for the 26-year-old to move back up the levels and Lossie gave him the opportunity to show his capabilities.
“There had been some interest from Lossiemouth in the summer but I had other commitments that I wanted to prioritise,” he said.
“It wasn’t really possible at that time but further down the line Tony Ross (former Thistle manager) got involved with Lossie and he put a word in the management team’s ears and they got in touch to see if I was keen to get involved.
“I am now at the point where I can commit more time to football so I jumped at the opportunity.
“I’ve definitely been looking towards Highland League football ever since I came back home. I feel like I can play at that level and I just want another run at it.
“When I first came back I didn’t think I was quite ready for it and it was good to be at Thistle getting 90 minutes week in, week out and get my confidence back again.
“More recently I felt I was ready to take the step up and there’s no time like the present.”
Paterson debuted for Lossie in their recent 3-0 defeat against Brora Rangers, then featured against Banks O’ Dee in his more favioured central midfield position.
He did enough to impress interim manager Ian Campbell and keep his place for last week’s Moray derby at Keith, which the Coasters won 2-0.
“We felt we could have got more from the Banks O’ Dee game, we hit the post late on and felt it was a missed opportunity. Against Keith we wanted to have something to show for our performances over the past while and I think we did that and finally picked up the full points, so we will look to take that forward.
Paterson, whose brother Owen plays for rival Highland League club Strathspey Thistle, says he quickly settled into life at his new club.
“I know quite a few of the lads from previous clubs and the network with football. It’s all local lads and everyone knows each other and it’s a very welcoming set-up so that makes it easier to fit in.
“I think I’ve fitted in OK over the three games, I still feel there’s room for improvement so we can look to take that forward over the last remaining games of the season and look to kick on next season.”
