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Elgin City goalkeeper Tom McHale returned to action from five months out with a clean sheet at Clyde and plans to retain number one shirt in battle with Kilmarnock loan teenager Aidan Glavin





Watching a teenager wear his Elgin City keeper’s shirt for five months made Tom McHale all the more determined to seize it back.

Now back in goal for the Black and Whites, McHale has no intention of giving up his place in the team with so much to play for this season.

Tom McHale started the season before picking up a serious ankle injury at the end of August. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Tom McHale started the season before picking up a serious ankle injury at the end of August. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

The 29-year-old tore his ankle ligaments in a League 2 match at Forfar at the end of August, and has endured a long journey back to fitness.

In his place, Kilmarnock 19-year-old Aidan Glavin arrived on loan and claimed the limelight with a string of fine displays.

McHale had been on the bench in recent games but when Glavin was taken back by Kilmarnock in an emergency when their regular number one was injured, it was time for McHale’s big return.

He came straight back in for Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Clyde, making some fine stops to keep his 40th clean sheet in his 179-appearance City career

“I've had my opportunity to get back in and albeit it was Aidan being recalled but that's part and parcel of being a goalkeeper,” he said. “I want to keep my position now.

Elgin City keeper Tom McHale. Picture: Bob Crombie
Elgin City keeper Tom McHale. Picture: Bob Crombie

“When these opportunities come up, you've got to take them. I was glad that I could play my part on the weekend and keep a clean sheet coming back into the team.”

Glavin extended his loan at Elgin before answering Killie’s mercy call, but his Borough Briggs deal is still active meaning he is likely to return to Borough Briggs once Kille keeper Robby McCrorie is fit.

McHale will then have competition again for his place in goal, but paid tribute to Glavin’s performances in his place.

The teenager hit the headlines with six penalty saves in Elgin’s Scottish Cup win against Clyde, as well as other stand-out displays.

“He's been magic for us, not just with regards to the Scottish Cup and the penalty saves and things like that,” McHale added. “Just overall, he's been really, really good.

Aidan Glavin in action in the Scottish Cup against Aberdeen. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Aidan Glavin in action in the Scottish Cup against Aberdeen. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

“Obviously, it was good to see a young boy get an opportunity. He's come from a Premier League club and coming down to League Two to sort of apply his trade and get games and an understanding of what the league's about.

“He's done brilliantly. I think everyone can see that from the players, the staff, the fans.

“I've been very supportive of that. I've tried my best to assist him in any way that I can.”

Now in his seventh season at Elgin, McHale is determined to do everything he can to try and push the club towards its holy grail of promotion.

His next match is a crucial one at home to leaders East Fife, who have forged 11 points clear of third-placed City - who have two games in hand - to emphasise the importance of Saturday’s game to the title chase.

Tom McHale has been a fans’ favourite at Borough Briggs in his seven seasons. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Tom McHale has been a fans’ favourite at Borough Briggs in his seven seasons. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

It will be McHale’s first Borough Briggs league match since the opening game of the campaign when the Black and Whites defeated East Fife 4-2 in a thrilling match.

“We obviously were brilliant on that day, sort of showed what we're all about as we have done many a time over the season.

“I think we showed that even down at their place when we lost 2-1.

“But it's 16 games to go. Nothing's won yet, nothing's lost yet. This is a thing that I think people need to remember. We're two games behind in terms of the catch-up as well.

“We've still got to play the two teams above us twice each as well. So a lot can change. We just know that we've got to take it game by game.

Tom McHale will celebrate his Borough Briggs return on Saturday. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Tom McHale will celebrate his Borough Briggs return on Saturday. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

“We've got a group of boys there who are wanting to succeed. We've got staff who want us to succeed and they're doing everything they possibly can to support us in that.

“We're just working together as best we can to get to that position that we want to be in.

“As long as we keep getting points on the board we'll see what is happening come the end of the season.

“Obviously games like Saturday are the games you want to win, just to prove you're still in the match.”

One player who will have a big part to play in Elgin’s destiny is record signing Kane Hester, who returned to the club on a three-and-a-half year deal last week and started in Saturday’s game at Clyde.

Tom Mchale is delighted to see Kane Hester return to Elgin City.
Tom Mchale is delighted to see Kane Hester return to Elgin City.

McHale said: “It's brilliant to see Kane back. Obviously everyone knows what he's about.

“Everyone knows what he's done for the club in previous seasons. He's gone away and tried it in the league above.

“It's just good to see him come back and want to succeed. He's hungry for it. He wants to be part of the group.”


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