Callum Maclean says the influence of Ross Tokely is already starting to show on Nairn County’s backline.
At the age of 43, Tokely has slotted in the Nairn’s defence for their last two matches following his switch from North Caledonian League outfit St Duthus.
After making his County debut in a 1-1 draw at Keith on Saturday, Tokely helped Steven Mackay’s men record their first clean sheet of the season in a 3-0 triumph over Wick Academy on Wednesday.
Versatile defender Maclean feels the experience of the former Caley Thistle player is already showing on his new team-mates.
Maclean said: “The clean sheet has been a bit of a monkey on our back for the whole season.
“We’ve probably had games where we should have kept a clean sheet.
“There have been goals we have leaked from set-pieces, and random unlucky moments.
“It has been coming, and the boys at the back deserve it.
“Myself and Fraser Dingwall have probably played the most out of the defenders but Ross Tokely being there is a big help.
“He just talks us through the whole game.
“He’s such a leader and wins so much in the air.
“Even in the Keith game, we were completely comfortable but just gave away a soft penalty.
“In our minds, that almost felt like a clean sheet because we were so solid.
“We took that into the Wick game and hopefully we can get a few more going forward.”
Mackay has put focus on fitness
Manager Mackay is also in the early stages of his Nairn tenure, having replaced Ronnie Sharp last month.
Maclean feels the former Brora Rangers boss’ impact is taking hold on the County squad, having observed a particular emphasis on fitness.
He added: “The manager is quite different to Ronnie, but they are both good in their own ways.
“I think he realised at half-time against Wick we were maybe giving them the initiative by sitting a bit deeper.
“He tweaked it and made a substitution which really helped. As soon as we came out for the second half we were right on top of them and they didn’t really get a sniff.
“I think he has had a great impact.
“The boys feel a lot fitter. We know what Steven is like, having run the North Coast 500. We are not quite doing that, but he’s certainly quite extreme in that regard and we are certainly buying into it.”
Ross Tokely brings quality
Mackay, who has now steered Nairn to three matches without defeat, says both tightening the defence and improving the squad’s fitness were two priority areas he targeted upon taking the job.
He added: “It’s something we identified early when we came in. We knew looking at the league table that our goals against was not good enough.
“We were averaging three goals against, which was really poor.
Last night’s 3-0 win over Wick Academy was a first clean sheet of the season for Will Counsell 🧤 pic.twitter.com/LRXLByHuDG
— Nairn County FC (@NairnCounty) November 3, 2022
“Ross has come in and raised a few eyebrows in terms of his age, but we have seen in both games that quality he brings.
“We are working on the boys’ fitness as well which is starting to show its benefits, and we will continue to do that.
“Confidence is growing and we want to continue the momentum after a win, a draw and a win.”
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