Transfer News: Sid In As Nairn Add Mackay
Nairn County have beaten off competition from Buckie Thistle and Deveronvale to secure the signature of highly-rated full back Steven Mackay.
The former Ross County, Forres Mechanics and Peterhead man arrives from Elgin City having rejected fresh terms from the Borough Briggs outfit at the end of the season.
Mackay, nicknamed Sid, arrives at Station Park on a three-year contract and the 27-year-old could be joined by several more new faces as manager Les Fridge sets about shaping his squad for the
Fridge was delighted to bring in a player of Mackay's quality and having played in all three SFL divisions, the dead ball specialist is sure to bring some welcome experience to the County ranks.
Speaking to Nairn County FC Online this morning, Fridge said: "Steven can play anywhere on the left hand side and can also play in the middle of the park. He's good at set pieces and also a very good passer of the ball with a lot of experience. He has played in the Scottish Leagues and is somebody that I have been tracking for quite a while. The opportunity came about to bring him in and we are delighted that he wanted to come on board. He had the chance to go to
Mackay will be hitting his peak years during his spell with the club and Fridge is hopeful that the fans will see the player at his very best. He added: "The fact that he has signed a three-year contract shows his commitment. He has got a young family and he is based in Inverness and I think it is a signing that any club in the Highland League would want right now."
It is a case of third time lucky for Nairn in terms of being able to secure the player's signature and ends something of a lengthy pursuit by Fridge personally. The manager explained: "He was on loan at Nairn from Ross County as a youngster about 10 years ago by all accounts. Then when he left Ross County, he played in a couple of pre-season games for us (against Elgin City and Forfar Athletic) and obviously I was quite interested in him then. But like I say, it is a great signing for us and I hope he is going to bring that little bit of experience along the lines of what David Hind did for us last season."
Mackay himself spoke about the move. He said: "I am looking forward to it and having talked to Les I believe we are capable of pushing forward and challenging. I haven't had enough of that at Elgin and I didn't see things moving forward so I decided it was time to draw a line under it.
"I want to spend the latter stages of my career challenging for titles no matter what level it is at and that was behind my decision. There are a number of really good players at the club already and a number of young guys who have broken into the team so hopefully we can get the blend right."
David Hind is another player Fridge has his sights on securing for the coming season. The ex-Elgin City captain impressed for the club after joining on a short-term contract in January. Fridge added: "Again, Deveronvale and Buckie are speaking to him and it has been on going with him for the past couple of weeks. We will have to wait and see what happens but I would love to keep him at the club. He has done a great job for us and he has fitted in really well. He is another player that I spoke to a couple of years ago as well. But on that front it is a case of having to wait and see.
"Buckie and Deveronvale seem to be chasing a lot of players from through here at the moment. It is making it very competitive in terms of getting players now."
Fridge also admitted yesterday to an interest in Mackay's former team mates at Elgin, Craig Campbell and Ally Ridgers. Talking about moves to bring to duo to Station Park, he said: "Craig Campbell is away on holiday just now but he is a player that I have spoken to. I have also spoken to Ally Ridgers in light of the John Campbell situation now. But there is nothing definite as of yet but it is something that I'm working on. Unfortunately because of the quality of player that becomes available, there are a lot of people interested. Even the likes of Clach and Forres are sniffing about these players as well so it is becoming very competitive to bring in players, especially good players."