Elgin City midfielder Russell Dingwall signed new deal as he believes in manager Ross Draper's plans for Borough Briggs club
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A strong relationship with Elgin City manager Ross Draper helped Russell Dingwall pledge his future to the Borough Briggs club.
Dingwall (26) admitted he was tempted by offers from clubs closer to his Inverness base.
But the appointment of Draper as City boss this summer led to discussions about his future plans and the player soon made his mind up to stay on with the Black and Whites.
“It wasn’t really a hard decision,” Dingwall said on penning a fresh three-year deal at City. “The only thing that was in my head was the travelling to come here, if I was going to do this.
“What would have been my reason to leave, maybe just to go somewhere a bit more local.
“But once ‘Drapes’ got the job it pretty much made up in my mind what I was going to do and it didn’t take long once everything was sorted. I knew then I was coming back.
“Maybe he sold it to me in the last five games. We finished the season positively and I got on really well with him.
“I had a few conversations with him about what his plans were going forward and I bought into it. Hopefully we can get a few more additions to the squad and kick on.
“This is my fifth year at Elgin. I get on well with all the lads in the changing room and I’m comfortable here. That was one of the reasons why I signed.
Draper will work on bringing in fresh faces over the coming week.
He has already taken in Elgin-born Liam Harvey on loan from Aberdeen, with the player still to meet up with his team-mates due to Dons commitments overseas.
City lost 2-0 at Huntly for Alex Thoirs testimonial match on Saturday and were defeated 3-2 at Banks O’ Dee on Tuesday.
Rory MacEwan and trialist John Stewart netted the City goals.
Draper will be without several players who have been attending former City favourite Darryl McHardy’s wedding this week.
The Moray side travel to Inverness to take on Caley Thistle in their latest friendly on Saturday.
