New manager prepares for first home game in charge of Highland League club Clachnacuddin
Conor Gethins will take charge of both his first league match and home match as Clachnacuddin manager this weekend.
The 39-year-old made his managerial debut last time out in a 3-1 defeat to Peterhead in the Scottish Cup.
Calum Ferguson had scored the first goal of the Gethins era to cut a two-goal deficit in half before half time, but the Lilywhites could not go on to secure what would have been a remarkable comeback at the Balmoor Stadium.
With hopes of a cup run now over, though, Clach can turn their attention back to the league campaign – and in particular finding a way to get their first Highland League victory of the season on the board.
So far, 11 matches have yielded just four points, all draws, leaving the Inverness outfit sitting second bottom of the table, only ahead of Strathspey Thistle who have lost all nine matches to date.
Standing in Clach’s way of three points tomorrow afternoon are Rothes, who have not played since October 11 – a 4-2 victory away at Strathspey Thistle.
This will be the first chance for supporters to see Gethins’ side in action on home turf, and shortly after taking charge at Grant Street park the former Nairn County and Ross County striker spoke of his desire to capture the imagination of fans on a weekly basis.
Hearing the fans cheering for and supporting him would be a novel feeling for Gethins, but he is in no doubt about how important those on the sidelines can be to the club’s prospects this season.
“I’ve always been aware of how big a club Clach are in the Highland League, even when I first came to Scotland with Ross County,” Gethins had said.
“We would play them in pre-season friendlies and North of Scotland Cups and you feel the history about Grant Street Park.
“There is a good, loyal support, albeit we would like to get more people through the gates.
“The Clach fans were always harsh on me, although I like to think I gave as good as I got!
“Away from matches, I would chat to them and have a laugh. It was good-natured. Its a proper community club at the heart of Merkinch.
“I’ve been thrilled by the way the players have responded in the first training sessions.”
On paper, Clach could rise as high as 13th with a victory.