Rothes manager Ross Jack hopes Alan Pollock and Jack Brown will be fit for today's Utilita Highland League Cup final
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
SWITCHING the cup final from Keith to Huntly won’t make a difference to Ross Jack.
Heavy rain waterlogged Kynoch Park last weekend, forcing the postponement of the first attempt to play the Speysiders’ big match against Buckie Thistle.
With the Keith ground unavailable today, the final goes to Huntly’s Christie Park and Rothes boss Jack is certain his players will be even more eager to impress.
“It didn’t matter where it was going to get played,” he said. “It’s such a big occasion and the fans watching at home last week wouldn’t have had such a good spectacle if the pitch had been heavy and waterlogged.
“It was gut-wrenching at the same time, the boys were right up for it and I’m sure Buckie’s were too. It was like getting the rug pulled from beneath our feet – but it was right decision.
“We will just delighted to get the game going and we will carry on our preparations for the final from last week and we have that extra bit of time for some boys to recuperate.”
Jack revealed how midfield pair Alan Pollock and Jack Brown were struggling with injuries sustained in the semi-final win at Formartine United, and may not have been fit for last week.
“They’ve now got extra days to get fit,” he said.
Defender Paul Macleod is free from a spell of self-isolation and available to play, while Jack could bring new signing Sean Linden into his squad, although the former Aberdeen winger is not fully fit.
“He’s been out with a dead leg and nursing a hamstring injury since he left Aberdeen but if we can get him fit and up to speed, he’s an absolute whippet and he can play. He will hopefully be in the squad for this week.”
Ryan McRitchie, Aidan Wilson and Steven Anderson will miss the Speysiders’ effort to win the cup for the first time in their history.
Just like last week, the final will be played behind closed doors and available for fans to watch at home on a pay-per-view live stream.
