November 20th 2023
THE club has agreed to loan four up and coming young players to Burghead Thistle. Craig Munro, Joe Cuthbert, Cameron Maclean and Ryan MacBean will move to Forest Park initially until New Year. County boss Ronnie Sharp said: "It is important for these players to be playing regular adult football at this stage of their careers." "They have all been in the under-20s squad for a good while now and have been in and around the first team. It is up to them now to show they can make that final step and establish themselves in the Highland League." "They need to go out to Burghead and prove they are good enough to play in the team there. We know they will be well looked after by their management team and we hope the boys can show that they will be valuable additions to the Burghead team." Munro (20) made his debut for the club at Forres Mechanics in August and has so far made three appearances, also playing in the home games against Rothes and Beith. Midfielder Cuthbert has made one single appearance with the 18-year-old coming off the bench in the win over Fort William in October while fellow midfielder Maclean, also 18, made his debut and only appearance to date in the 1-1 draw at Wick Academy in December 2017. MacBean – a 19-year-old striker – has also made one top team appearance, making his Highland League debut in the 2-2 draw at Keith in April. Cuthbert and Maclean are in contention to make their Burghead debuts tomorrow when Thistle welcome Banchory St Ternan to Forest Park for a North Region Juniors First Division match, pending SFA clearance. Munro and MacBean are unavailable this weekend but will be ready for selection the following week. Graeme Macleod
