July 15th 2024
INFLUENTIAL duo Callum Maclean and Kenny McKenzie have agreed contract extensions with the club. Maclean – who turned 27 yesterday – and McKenzie (26) are both in their fourth season at Station Park and have become key players under Ronnie Sharp’s management. The County boss said: “It is further good news for us to secure these two players having agreed new contracts with Seamus McConaghy and Joe Cuthbert yesterday. “I am delighted they will both be remaining with us because they have been huge players for us over my two years here and I certainly see that continuing. They are experienced players in our squad and are great to have around the place helping the younger players in their development. But with the age they are both at, their best years are still ahead of them themselves and even though they have consistently been among our top players over the last few years, I still see them both getting better and better." “It is great news for the club as it allows us to look ahead as we aim the progress the club – keeping Callum and Kenny on board is a big part of that.” Maclean has made 107 appearances for the club since joining from Fort William in 2015, scoring seven times. He was a youth with Inverness CT and Clachnacuddin before playing for Glasgow-based junior club St Anthony’s and South of Scotland League side St Cuthbert Wanderers during his time at university. He spent a season with Fort William after returning north before joining Nairn. McKenzie also had spells with Inverness CT and Clachnacuddin in his formative years before joining up with Maclean at Fort William for a season. He made the same move to Station Park as his teammate in 2015, where both have been cornerstones of the team ever since. Meanwhile, two members of Sharp's squad will not be available for selection for any upcoming games. The manager revealed: "Danny Highet has been struggling to make it to training over the last few months because of his work and is now missing a lot of Saturdays too. When you are not in the team, it makes it doubly difficult to fight your way in if you cannot make it to training, so he has stepped away for the time being but we will welcome him back if his situation is to change." "Zola (Inaki Fernandino-Soto) feels the best thing for him is to no longer be a part of our squad and we respect his decision. It has been difficult for Zola to earn a place in the team and he now wants to move on elsewhere, which he will do with our blessing." Graeme Macleod
