Netting 200 goals for Nairn County is on Conor Gethins’ Christmas wishlist.
The striker took his Wee County tally to 197 on Saturday with a hat-trick against Forres Mechanics.
However, Gethins will have to wait in his bid to reach the double century, as Nairn don’t have a game this weekend and he’s suspended for next Saturday’s clash with Formartine United.
The Station Park side then face Deveronvale on December 17 and Clachnacuddin in a double header on December 27 and January 3.
Gethins hopes to reach the milestone during the festive period, particularly because his parents George and Angela are coming over from Donegal.
Nairn return due to love for team
The 39-year-old said: “I’m suspended for the Formartine game next week, so I’ll have to wait a few weeks.
“We’ve got a double header against Clach over the festive period and Deveronvale as well.
“It would be the ideal Christmas present really. My mum and dad are coming over at Christmas and should be there for the double header against Clach.
“It would be nice to do it when they’re here. My dad phones me every Saturday night after every game and slaughters me or says well done.
The King 👑 #ncfc #nairncounty #ItsaNairnThing pic.twitter.com/QngsE0eSAd
— Nairn County FC (@NairnCounty) November 26, 2022
“I came back to Nairn (last year) because it was a team I loved playing for and everyone around the club is great.
“When I came back it was always a goal to reach it.
“I didn’t know if I would manage, just because of my age and because you need to play regularly.
“I’m thankful to Ronnie Sharp, because I played the most games of anyone last season and scored 16 goals.
“Steven Mackay’s come in and I’ve carried on and I think he sees the hunger and desire to win games and the work-rate is still there.”
Hard yards paying off
Gethins’ treble at the weekend helped Nairn recover from 3-1 down to beat Forres 4-3.
Since taking over in October, Wee County manager Steven Mackay has worked on his squad’s fitness and Gethins has bought into it despite being at the veteran stage of his career.
He added: “As a group we’re fitter and we’ve finished the last few games really strongly.
“There’s a belief there we can empty the tank and more often than not we’ll be the ones standing at the end.
“The fitness side of things doesn’t bother me – I know what you’ve got to do to win games.
“A lot of the boys give me a hard time because of my age and saying I don’t run as much as them.
“But on Saturday I ran the most out of the whole team, so I was quick to show them that.
“It also shows that the running still needs to be done whatever age you are.”
Conversation