Harry heads Elgin City trial queue
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TWO left-sided defenders are on the radar of Elgin City manager Ross Jack as he looks to strengthen his squad just a fortnight before the new season’s big kick-off.
Jack fielded former St Mirren stopper Harry McGregor in Saturday’s 3-0 friendly defeat against Caley Thistle, and plans to have a look at another three fresh faces during the double header against Clach and Fraserburgh this weekend.
McGregor (20) impressed during City’s open trials and was given a 40-minute run-out at left back against Inverness. The Borders-based player failed to make the breakthrough at St Mirren, but played a handful of matches on loan at Airdrie United and Berwick, before joining East Lothian juniors Dunbar United late last season.
But there is speculation that Elgin are also interested in Ross County full back Archie MacPhee, a teenager who impressed in the Highland League last term on loan at Forres Mechanics.
A young midfielder with an SPL club is also being lined up for a possibly loan move to Borough Briggs, while two more trialists could play in the friendlies at Clach tonight (Friday) and Fraserburgh on Saturday.
Jack said on new boy McGregor: “Harry’s CV came in to us and he was part of the trial, but I could see right away that he could play, so he has been training mainly with the first team and we’ll get a look at him in games.
“But we should have a trialist playing against Clach and maybe two or three against Fraserburgh. Two of them came through the trials and one of them from outwith, and they will all get the opportunity to show me what they can do.”
On possible loan deals, Jack added: “We had hoped to have one SPL youngster in one of the two games this weekend but we are still waiting for permission from his club. He’s a midfielder, and we’d like to take a look at him.”
“There is one other we have been monitoring who we would like to get in on loan, but it looks like he may have forced his way into the first team at the moment.”
That description could fit the bill for MacPhee, who played in a strong Ross County side which won 2-0 at Clach in midweek, after which manager Derek Adams admitted he was looking to loan the player out once more for the coming season.
For more on this story, read Friday's Northern Scot.
