Elgin City midfielder Ross MacIver says a sustained run in the starting line-up is his primary target during his loan spell from Ross County.
After joining City earlier this month on a temporary deal until the end of the season, 19-year-old MacIver has made three substitute appearances for Gavin Price’s men so far.
MacIver spent the latter half of last season on loan with League 1 Forfar where he made 10 outings, but only four starts for the Loons under former Elgin boss Jim Weir, and he is hoping for a more productive spell at Borough Briggs.
He said: “I probably didn’t play enough games last year, it was mainly substitute appearances.
“I really want to make starting appearances this year, which I didn’t get much of last year. Hopefully I can get more in the coming weeks.
“It has been enjoyable at Elgin, I just need to get more game time which is what the loan was for.
“Hopefully in the next few weeks I can break into the team and get a few more starts.
“There were a few clubs interested, but when I saw Elgin were interested I thought it was quite local so it would be good if I could go and get game time at a good club.”
Fortrose-born MacIver captained County’s reserves to a North of Scotland Cup final triumph against rivals Caley Thistle in October, with his first team debut coming in an IRN-BRU Cup win against Montrose the following week.
MacIver is determined to grasp his opportunity at senior level, with his Staggies contract up in the summer, and he added: “The managers at Ross County took me in and told me about the move. They were speaking highly of me, but they spoke about how I needed game time.
“I took their opinion in and I want to prove to them I can play at that level.
“They just said I need to catch the eye and play as many games as I can. I just need to impress people to try and get another contract.
“I have played reserve football for a long time now. Having come through the youth set up at Ross County you expect every club to have these big facilities, but with Elgin we are training down in Aviemore at the community centre. It’s different, but it’s good to see as well.
“I have noticed the physicality and the fact players want to win, whether it’s for that win bonus or the three points.
“In youth football, that’s not really there. It’s a big step up.
City host Queen’s Park in League 2 tonight, with MacIver aiming to keep momentum going in the pursuit of a play-off place.
He added: “We have won the last three games and we drew with Edinburgh City before that, so we are flying.
“The manager speaks about the chance of getting into the play-offs, and a win against Queen’s Park would certainly help us along the way.
“We just have to look at every game and think we’ve got a chance of winning it, and see how far it takes us.”
