Advanced role is the way ahead for Elgin skipper
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ELGIN City fans can expect to get even more goals out of club captain Darryl McHardy next season – if his manager’s plan works out.
So often an attacking threat from centre back at set pieces, McHardy is City’s fifth top scorer since they entered the Scottish League with 35 goals to his name.
That knack of coming up with important counters for his team has persuaded Borough Briggs boss Gavin Price to push the defender further up the park next term.
Price plans to use City’s pre-season games and potentially the Betfred Cup group games in July to try his McHardy experiment.
“The intention is to take a look at Darryl in a more forward position,” Price revealed. “He does well for us at centre half but he offers so much as a goal threat that if we could find a position for him further up the park, he could benefit the team even more.”
City conceded 81 goals in all competitions last season – exactly the same as a year before – and their manager is desperate to reduce that number.
A gamble on veteran Craig Beattie failed last season while injuries led to Stephen Bronsky and Matthew Cooper missing much of the campaign. Price is hoping that the latter two, joined by James McGowan and new signing Andy McDonald can form a more solid back line next term and allow McHardy to venture into a midfield role.
Price said: “Andy for me is a more natural defender while Darryl causes teams problems and is a threat with balls coming into the box so I do want to try and use him in a different way next year, if possible.
“He’s brave and got good attributes from an attacking sense. He gives you that aerial threat as well and defenders don’t like coming up against him."
One Price transfer target who has rejected the club is former City man Jordan Allan. The defender, who has a season with Elgin before joining Stirling Albion last season, is making the move to Stranraer.
Elgin return to pre-season training on June 15 and have confirmed friendlies at Strathspey Thistle on the 25th, Jeanfield Swifts at Aberfeldy on the 29th and Clach on July 9. A young Aberdeen XI will provide the opposition for the Black and Whites’ 125th anniversary match at Borough Briggs on Thursday, July 4.
