Dods encouraged by new City strike partnership

Darren Dods is hoping that Brechin City will start to flourish with their new strike partnership.

For the first time since August the Glebe Park boss was able to start Andy Jackson and Connor McLennan together against Morton last weekend.

And Dods has been encouraged by what he saw.

“Obviously, Jacko has taken his time to get back from injury and we used him off the bench for a few games,” he said.

“Saturday was his first start and his link-up play was excellent. He got 70 minutes and will feel the benefit of that.

“We’re hoping that Connor’s loan deal from Aberdeen will be extended because he’s scored a couple for us recently and has played well.

“I think the only reason Derek (McInnes) would want him back would be if he was going to be involved with the first team. With the greatest respect to Connor, they’ve got a lot of options in that area.

“We’d hoped this would be a good partnership for us at the start of the season and now we’re hoping the same again.”

Today’s clash with Livingston will be Brechin’s last home game for a while. “It’s an opportunity for us,” said Dods. “We did well against Morton last weekend. Jacko was important for us and so was Callum Tapping.

“It’s Celtic in the Scottish Cup next weekend and there’s no doubt about it – players do want to make sure they are in the starting line-up for that one.”

It looks like Ryan McGeever may need an operation on his ankle. If that is confirmed it would probably rule him out for the season.

Dods has a couple of January deals lined up but expects to have to wait until late in the window before they fall into place.

City midfielder James Dale meanwhile insists that he and his team-mates haven’t given up hope of Championship survival.

“We’re trying to implement a positive mindset,” said the 24-year-old. “We don’t think about going down. “It’s weird; even though results aren’t going our way, everyone still seems to be enjoying it. That goes back to the way we are as a club.

“Everyone knows the situation. There’s no point in being defeatist and getting upset because that doesn’t help. We feel we’ve been competitive in every single game.”