October 5th 2026
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
NAIRN COUNTY VS ROSS COUNTY
7:30PM, TUESDAY 14TH JULY 2026
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Written by Pierce Menzies
County are set to welcome League One side Ross County to Station Park tomorrow as Nairn look to build on their 6-1 victory against Lossiemouth United last week.
The Wee County have already faced SPFL opposition twice during the pre-season with a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Elgin City and a 3-1 defeat in Callum Maclean, Dylan Maclean and Kenny McKenzie’s testimonial against League One Champions Inverness Caley Thistle.
Following Callum Maclean’s retirement, and the departures of Dylan Maclean and Andrew Greig, Wayne Mackintosh has moved quickly to add to his squad, with Leo Walker, Jake Thomson and Finn Munro in the door at Station Park.
Mackintosh made it clear that the club was still looking to be active in the transfer market as he said: “We would still like to strengthen the squad and know the areas we would like to improve.
“It is tough to bring players in and every player that you speak to has several offers from other clubs also on the table, but we will continue to try.”
Tomorrow’s clash will provide them with yet another opportunity to establish themselves before the season gets underway.
But it won’t just be the new kids on the block who will be looking to make an impact. Tomorrow’s game is another opportunity for the younger members of the squad who have already shown their worth to further stake their claim in the starting 11 going forward, and those who are coming through to make a name for themselves.
Ben Barron and Calum Mackay, both 21, both starred for the Wee County last season as Nairn finished ninth in the Highland League, with Barron the club’s top goalscorer on 14 goals, and Mackay voted as the Young Player of the Year and have taken their form into the pre-season so far.
The pair were both on the scoresheet against Lossiemouth United last week; with Mackay also having scored against Inverness back in June.
Other notable names who also starred last season include defender Jamie Carnihan, Lewis Munro and, the now departed, Charlie McKenzie, all of whom were aged 21 or under throughout the season.
Mackintosh has continued to blood the next generation of Nairn players throughout the pre-season as both Harrison Mackenzie and Xander McAlpine have been given debuts for the first team, with Mackenzie on the scoresheet against Lossiemouth United.
The decision to hand debuts to Mackenzie and McAlpine, along with building a squad around a young core, demonstrates that Station Park is an ideal environment to develop youth.
On Mackenzie and McAlpine, Mackintosh said: “They have both been training with us throughout pre-season and it was good for them both to get their debuts in the friendly matches this summer.
“They will have learned a lot, and it is important for them now to take that into their Under-18s games this season and set a good example.
“They need to continue to work hard and listen to their coaches to move forward with their development.
“They are both only just fully stepping up to Under-18s football from Under-16s this season, so we will be patient with them and continue to track their progress, as we will with all their teammates.”
Mackintosh added: “We played Inverness Thistle in a bounce match on Saturday with 12 players who are still young enough to play youth football this season – it was a worthwhile exercise, and I hope it was a good experience for all of the young players involved.”
Tuesday’s friendly will put that environment to the test as Ross County bring another occasion for the younger players of the squad to measure themselves against a League One standard, one they’re unlikely to encounter once the Highland League season begins.
The Staggies have a host of experience in their side with the likes of Akil Wright, Connor Randall and Brian Graham all having racked up Premiership minutes in recent seasons and will provide a test for Mackintosh’s men.
Ross County were unbeaten in preseason as they faced Highland League opposition in the form of Forres Mechanics, Invergordon and Clachnacuddin as well as Championship side Inverness.
The Staggies also opened their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Annan Athletic.
Despite differing pre-season results, Tuesday’s friendly is a fixture that carries a sense of familiarity for both clubs as they faced each other in a pre-season friendly in July 2023 where the Staggies ran out 3-1 victors at Station Park.
Mackintosh said: “We still have things we would like to work on defensively and we will get the opportunity to do that on Tuesday.
“Ross County will be looking for a flying start to their season and these games against full time teams are always tough, but I want our players to be brave on the ball and have a go when we get the chance.”
Whether Mackintosh’s young side can produce a result against League One opposition remains to be seen; but if pre-season is anything to go by, there will be no shortage of players willing to make their case.
