November 20th 2023
THE club has agreed to loan three promising young players out to Nairn St Ninian until the end of the season. Reece Barton, Matty Macleod and Craig Munro will link up with the Saints this week and be available to manager Mike Hendry for Saturday's trip to Montrose Roselea. The three players – all 18 years old – will still be eligible to turn out for County in the under-20s North of Scotland League under the terms of the agreement. County boss Ronnie Sharp said: "It will be great for these young players to go out and player regular adult football because it is what they need at this stage of their career." "They have all been in and around the first team squad for a few seasons now and to push on and become ready to play regularly in the Highland League, they need to go out and develop by playing in the juniors." "You just have to look at the likes of Glenn and Gregg Main and Paul Macleod who have all progressed to the first team by going out and playing regularly for St Ninian. It did those players the world of good and hopefully it will be the same for Reece, Matty and Craig." "Under the terms of the deal, we will review it on a monthly basis but I would like to think that they will go to St Ninian and prove to be useful players in their team this season." Macleod made his debut for Nairn against Brora Rangers as a substitute on the opening day of the season while Barton took his bow as a second half sub against Strathspey Thistle last month. Munro is still waiting for his competitive debut but has played several friendlies with the first team squad. All three players will link up with their new team mates this week. Graeme Macleod
