Elgin City manager Gavin Price insists attacker Shane Sutherland will not be leaving Borough Briggs.
Speculation over Sutherland’s future has continued in recent weeks, with League 1 sides Arbroath and Forfar Athletic believed to be considering loan moves for the 27-year-old following the closure of the summer transfer window.
Price has been left frustrated by the ongoing talk and his keen for Sutherland to keep his focus on the park, with Elgin making the trip to Berwick Rangers in League 2 today.
Price said: “Shane is not going anywhere. Clubs have expressed an interest in him, but there has been speculation all summer so nothing has changed there.
“It’s a bit frustrating, but he just needs to concentrate on playing well on a Saturday, which benefits him and benefits the team.”
City were defeated 3-0 in their last outing at home to Stirling Albion in their only league loss so far this season, however Price has been encouraged by an improvement in his side’s away form so far this term.
Price, whose only absentee is defender Stephen Bronsky with a long-term ankle injury, added: “Much as you don’t read too much into positive results, you’ve got to do the same with negative ones.
“We have been pretty good away from home so far this season though, so hopefully we can keep that going.
“We definitely look a stronger side mentally away from home just now, but it’s early days. It will be a tough game at Berwick, they’ve had a few good players come in there so it will be a bit of the unknown.”
City winger Ali Sutherland feels stronger away form holds the key to the Moray side’s play-off hopes, and he said: “The away form is something we definitely need to improve on from last year. If we do that we will finish a bit higher up this season, and hopefully make the play-offs at least.
“We’ve had a win and a draw already, and we didn’t get much more than that last season. Our form is always good at home, which made the Stirling game all the more surprising.
“We are just eager to get back out there.”
Price has introduced a change in formation this season, and former Caley Thistle player Sutherland says it has forced him to adapt.
The 21-year-old added: “It has been a bit difficult because the manager wants to play 3-5-2 this season.
“It probably makes it more difficult for me to break into the team because it suits wing-backs, and I’m more of a forward thinking player.
“I’m more than comfortable playing wing-back, and I’m happy to play anywhere whenever I get the chance. I feel I can play most positions.
“Hopefully I can start getting a few more games and kick on.”
