July 15th 2024
NAIRN County have completed a deadline-busting move for Fort William’s Danny Highet, who has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Station Park. On a busy day of business for the club, which saw Ross Naismith complete a transfer to Strathspey Thistle this morning, manager Ronnie Sharp has wasted no time in recruiting an experienced addition to his squad. The midfielder goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Wick Academy with the 25-year-old having put pen to paper in a nick of time to be eligible to make his debut in the Highland League (Morganti) Cup preliminary round tie at Harmsworth Park. Highet said: “I am absolutely delighted to be here and join the club and it has all come about really quickly. I am looking forward to getting started, although I have been training here with the squad already. They are a good group of guys and it is a young squad full of quality. “I know Kenny (McKenzie) and Callum (Maclean) and I have heard a lot of good things about the club from them, so I am delighted to have joined. Some of the results Nairn have had this season have been really good. I have been following the club for a while now and have come along to watch Callum and Kenny play when I have not had a game on myself. “Station Park is a brilliant place to play football and I am looking forward to getting started. I am a central midfield player and I would say that I like to get stuck in. I enjoy getting forward to support the strikers and getting on the ball as well, so I would like to get in among the goals between now and the end of the season because there are still plenty of games left to play. “It is very competitive at the top end of the league and it would be nice to get the club up there and in the mix over the next few years. It would good to put together a cup run this year too, starting tomorrow.” Ronnie Sharp said: “We have had our eye on Danny for a wee while now and he comes to us highly-recommended. With him being Inverness-based and playing for Fort William, we were asked if he could train with us, so we have seen him up close lately and he has trained well. “He was out of contract with Fort in the summer and we were looking at the possibility of bringing him in for next season, so I am delighted to have the backing of the board to go out and do a deal to secure him now. “He is the sort of player who can fit right in to the way we want to play. He is industrious, composed on the ball and is keen to learn and develop his game. He still has his best years in front of him but at the same time, he knows the Highland League having played with Fort for a few seasons now and he was also part of their squad which reached the final of the North of Scotland Cup in May. “He can play in the middle of the park or out on the right, so he gives us a couple of options and it means we will not be as exposed if we have one or two players from these positions missing for any games. “He has not played for well over a month now though, so it will take him time to get up to speed with his fitness and the way we play but we are looking forward to having him as part of the squad.” He added: “We would also like to thank Fort William for all of their help and professionalism in getting this deal done. We only made initial contact with them on Wednesday afternoon but from speaking to Graeme Macleod (Director of Football), I know they have been great to deal with and understanding of our wish to get Danny on board in time to be eligible for tomorrow’s game.” Graeme Macleod
