7 hours ago
THE club has extended the contracts of three youngsters who have all made their mark in the first team this season. Ryan Macleod, Dylan Mackenzie and Callum Ednie are now all tied to Nairn County until the summer of 2019. Manager Ronnie Sharp said: "These are the sorts of players who are going to be regulars in the team over the coming years, provided they continue to work hard, progress and show the attitude and commitment they have this season." "Their new deals are a reward for their efforts as they have all been part of the match day squads and been at training regularly throughout the season. They have shown us that they want to be Highland League players and the opportunity is now there for them to continue their progress." He added: "Ryan came through the under-20s and has proved that he is an able deputy for Dylan Maclean in goal. He came in at short notice to make his debut in the win at Huntly in November and it did not faze him at all. He has then gone on to make another couple of appearances for us and saved a penalty in the home game against Turriff United in March." "Dylan came in at the start of the season and has scored some important goals for us. He got the winner down at Fort William in September, one at Huntly in November and the injury time equaliser at Deveronvale in the cup in February." "Callum also came through the under-20s and was unlucky to pick up an injury on the opening day of the season when he looked assured at left back against Brora Rangers. He is starting to look far more comfortable among the first team squad in training and there will be more to come from him over the next few years." Goalkeeper Macleod (19) has made three starts and one sub appearance this season as well as six appearances in the under-20s. He said: "I am delighted to sign a new deal with the club. It has been a great season for me personally making my first team debut and getting the chance to play in other games as well." "I am looking forward to continuing my progress with the club over the next few years and hopefully we can make strides further up the table. It has been a difficult season for everyone at the club with everything that happened in the summer but I think the boys have been superb. There is no reason why we cannot make good progress next season." Mackenzie's record stands at five starts and 18 sub appearances so far this season with a return of four goals. He has also netted once in four appearances for the under-20s. The 18-year-old forward said: "It has been a good season for me playing as much as I have at Highland League level for the first time." "I was delighted to get my first goal at this level and for it to be the winning goal when we played down at Fort William in September and I am looking to add to my tally before the end of the season. I am on four just now and my aim is to improve that every year over the next two seasons and hopefully earn a more regular starting place in the team." Defender Ednie has played from the start twice and also appeared from the bench twice in his breakthrough season as well as chipping in with one goal from his 11 appearances with the under-20s side. The 19-year-old said: "It has been good to move into the first team this season and train with more experienced players every week. I feel that has helped me to improve my game, along with regular football with the under-20s." "I am delighted to have agreed a new deal with the club and now my focus is on breaking into the first team and becoming a regular over the next few seasons. I will be 21 when this contract ends, so I am looking to use these next two seasons to stake my claim for a place in the team in the long term." Graeme Macleod
