Buckie Thistle manager hails Mark Ridgers as ‘fantastic signing’
BUCKIE Thistle manager Lewis Mackinnon described goalkeeper Mark Ridgers as a “fantastic signing” after the 33-year-old’s debut on Saturday.
The Jags were beaten 5-1 at Victoria Park by Championship side Falkirk, but Mackinnon said that Ridgers had a good game, making nine or 10 saves.
Ridgers has been on Buckie’s radar throughout pre-season and signed for the club on Friday. He was thrown straight into the starting line-up and is likely to start again against Dundee United tomorrow.
Mackinnon said: “It's a fantastic signing for Buckie. It had been on the cards, we had been in talks and he made it clear if he was going part-time then it would be Buckie.
“He should be playing Championship or Scottish Premiership football, but football full-time football isn’t that profitable outside of the Old Firm, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
“Mark didn’t want to move south on a low wage and has chosen a career path outside of football.
“The quality of goalkeeping he can provide will help, and he is vocal. As soon as he was in the dressing room he was giving coaching points to boys. He spoke at half-time, too. He is going to bring that professionalism.
“It’s a different environment for Mark, too. We are expected to win every week.
“But against Falkirk there were saves he made, things he held, and his distribution was really good - so he will bring all that to the table.”
The arrival of Ridgers means that Stuart Knight is set to leave Buckie Thistle. The 36-year-old, signed from Forres Mechanics last summer, has handed in a transfer request as he looks for playing time in the twilight of his career.
Euan Storrier has also expressed a desire to play football - meaning that another goalkeeper may arrive in order that he can go on loan.
Mackinnon explained: “In an ideal world you keep a huge squad, but I spoke to both over the weekend and Stuart Knight is available for transfer.
“He has only got a year left and wants to be playing regular football while he’s still reasonably fit. He’s won a league title and played a huge part in the Scottish Cup run so it was a memorable season. He’s a gentleman and a great Highland League goalkeeper.
“Euan has also expressed desire to play regularly but he's contracted until 2027. We are looking to source a young goalkeeper, and maybe if we get a young goalkeeper in to learn from Mark then Euan can go on loan.”
Mackinnon wasn’t too downbeat about losing 5-1 to Falkirk. The Bairns took an early lead when Ryan Fyffe put through his own net, but Andy MacAskill equalised on 28 minutes.
That only seemed to anger Falkirk, and they scored twice in three minutes in retaliation - first through Aidan Nesbitt and then Sean Mackie. It remained 3-1 until late on, when Nesbitt added his second and Ryan Shanley finished the scoring.
Buckie Thistle host Premiership side Dundee United at Victoria Park tonight.
“Mark made about nine saves and some of them were really good - but their goalie had some good saves too,” Mackinnon added.
“Josh and Marcus were denied, and we had three or four chances. It was a close game and we worked hard.
“They are a fit, fast side that went season unbeaten in League One last season. We got our possession stats, shots and corners up.
“It’s just a pity that in the last 10 minutes the legs went, but overall it was a good exercise. We will take it into the Highland League - it's going to help fitness-wise.”
Tonight’s game against Dundee United kicks off at 7.45pm.
