A week away from the start of the new Premiership season, Oban Camanachd have been hit with the news that their powerful central defender Scott McKillop will be out for up to six months.
Former Glenorchy player McKillop, tall and strong- tackling, travelled to Glasgow this week for a scan on the knee problem which saw the 28-year-old joiner miss the closing stages of last season.
Oban manager Ian Hay said: “The verdict is just what we didn’t want to hear. The specialist has advised Scott to rest the knee for three months. After that, he is to return for an assessment which will decide whether surgery is required.
“It’s a big blow to be without such an important player for the first three months but if he then needs an operation then he’ll be out for a similar period of time.
“Scott was really impressive last season and now we face being without him for possibly the whole season, which is hugely disappointing.”
The Mossfield men, who host Skye in their opening game, will be without another defender, Scott Macmillan, who is suspended for the first two games of the campaign and, with Gary MacKerracher not playing this year, the team’s resources are stretched.
Hay added: “I may ask young Daniel Sloss to step back into defence this year, while Daniel Cameron is so versatile that he can fit in there during Macmillan’s suspension.”
Oban’s fixture with Kilmallie for the BSW Cup, due tomorrow, has been called off as both teams have player availability problems.
Kyles Athletic, runners-up last year but chasing their first Premiership title, give Neil MacVicar, signed from Skye, his debut in their game with Fort William at An Aird. Grant Profit, fitness coach at Port-avadie Leisure Centre, has taken on the same role with Kyles and manager James Perlich feels his team’s fitness is significantly enhanced.
Fort skipper James Tangey is working in London and misses out, while Bryan Simpson is sidelined with an ankle issue.
But co-manager Victor Smith said: “Goalkeeper Paul MacKay had booked to go to the rugby at Murrayfield but has given away his ticket because he wants to play. That kind of commitment is excellent.”
The fixture is for the Drew Ferguson Cup, presented by his family in memory of a young Fort player who died several years ago, and whose mother, Shiela, will hand over the trophy to the winning captain.
Drew Ferguson was a keen Rangers fan and Kyles, whose first strip was donated by Rangers, are regarded as fitting opposition.
