Inverness Courier

Caley Thistle could dip back into Highland League pool fo...

One of last summer’s signings has impressed after making the step up, giving Scott Kellacher confidence that more could do the same.

I found this an interesting article in the Courier, I totally agree with Kel when he says that the Highland League is a good market to try and get new signings from.

Jordan Alonge is proof of that so I really hope it is an avenue that is explored in the summer, maybe not a bucket load of signings though as we could also do with a little bit of experience in the squad no matter what league we're in.

I don't think it's fair to discuss who could make the step up from Highland League to League 1/Championship though as that would be disrespectful to the clubs the players being discussed play at so I just want to know your opinions on whether it's a league market worth exploring 👍👍?

It's certainly worth exploring the options of players (a) available and (b) deemed to be of the required standard, but there are other SPFL clubs in the Highland League region who are also no doubt keeping an eye on things.

Logic suggests that the further up the SPFL a club goes fewer players of appropriate standard would be available from the Highland League.

I’m sure there are some that could step up to a higher level but, like Alonge, it may take them time to become regular starters.

A look at the HL scoring charts (copied below for information) shows a few players who clearly have an eye for goal, but against lower quality defenders and goalkeepers.

However, many HL players probably want to play part time and retain full time jobs outside football, so won’t be tempted by a full time playing offer.

We’ve seen how we can slip up to HL clubs in the North of Scotland Cup when we generally play a younger team and players needing game time. Forres, one of the poorer HL teams knocked us out this season.

It is good that we are looking to keep our options open.

This bit is copied from another Forum:

TOP SCORERS (ALL COMPETITIONS)...

25 - Miller Keir (Turriff United)
23 - James Anderson (Clachnacuddin/Brora Rangers), Calum Frame (Forres Mechanics), Grady McGrath (Brechin City)
19 - Troy Cooper (Clachnacuddin), Shane Sutherland (Brora Rangers)
18 - Scott Barbour (Fraserburgh), Rory McAllister (Formartine United), Josh Peters (Buckie Thistle)
14 - Lyall Keir (Buckie Thistle)
13 - Ben Barron (Nairn County), Marc Macgregor (Wick Academy)
12 - Tony Dingwall (Brora Rangers), Jordan Macrae (Brora Rangers/Clachnacuddin)
11 - Connor Bunce (Brora Rangers), Mitchell Findlay (Brechin City), Angus Grant (Huntly), Hamish Ritchie (Formartine United), Sam Robertson (Huntly)
10 - Fergus Alberts (Deveronvale), Paul Brindle (Nairn County), Liam Duell (Banks O' Dee), Michael Gilmour (Banks O' Dee), Darryl McHardy (Buckie Thistle), Shaun Morrison (Strathspey Thistle), Sam Pugh (Banks O' Dee), Mitch Taylor (Brechin City), Jake Thomson (Rothes)

Edited March 24Mar 24 by Robert
Added scorer list.