Highland head coach Davie Carson has warned his side to be braced for the step up as they begin their National 1 campaign away to Cartha Queen’s Park tomorrow.
The Inverness outfit got their campaign off to a flying start when they defeated fellow National 1 side Watsonian 32-3 in last weekend’s Scottish Cup preliminary round tie at Canal Park.
Highland defeated Cartha on their way to the National League Cup final last November but he is taking nothing for granted this time around.
Carson welcomes back Oscar Baird from injury but Jonny Milton and Craig Findlater are unavailable and the Highland boss said: “It was very close when we played Cartha down there in the cup last year. I think there was only one score in it, but we managed to scrape through.
“The boys have nothing to fear going down there because we know we have done it before. We are certainly a better side now, but they probably are as well.
“It would be great to get a winning start away from home. It would launch us into the league pretty well if we can get off the blocks early and get some points on board.”
New Caithness head coach George Sutherland is determined to overcome the geographical challenges that await the Thurso outfit, who begin their National 3 campaign at home to Ardrossan Academicals tomorrow.
Sutherland has been appointed as Tom McGee’s permanent successor, having briefly served on an interim basis towards the end of last season.
Having spent the last 10 years playing and coaching in Australia, Sutherland has drafted in exchange student Zac Richardson from his former club Palmyra, while fellow back Scott Webster will also return to the Greens following a stint in New Zealand.
Sutherland said: “It has been an absolute battle trying to get players to commit.It is going to be a real test this season. We have the same problems as every other club in recruiting and retaining players, but ourselves and Orkney really have an issue with travel.
“If players are enjoying themselves, they will want to play. That’s the first step – to make it enjoyable. I will then look to try and make it competitive.”
Grant Anderson has taken over as captain from his younger brother Marc, who will be out for several weeks with a broken ankle.
