The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Jack opens talks in bid to hold it all together at Elgin City
Elgin City manager Ross Jack will this week begin talks aimed at keeping his assistant Barry Wilson and the majority of the firstteam squad at Borough Briggs.
Elgin will lose four loan players as Jack rebuilds after losing out to Albion Rovers in the play-offs.
Goalkeeper Zanderclark and defender Mark Durnan will go back to St Johnstone, while defender Archie Macphee and midfielder Alex Cooper will re- turn to Ross County. Wilson has retired f rom playing and now runs a shop at Dingwall, but Jack is still eager to work with the former Caley Thistle favourite.
He said: “I am very keen to get a deal tied up for Barry.
“It has been a good partnership and it would be great if we could continue it.
“The players have enjoyed working with Barry as well.
“He has time commitments with his family and new business.
“But we have discussed it already and hopefully we can come to an arrangement.”
Only midfielder Stuart Leslie is signed for next season, but Jack is confident hecanretain the bulkof the squad which took Elgin to the play-offs and such a dramatic last two games.
He added: “When I start recruiting new players I will have to see what budget I have available.
“I have not discussed it with the board yet as we had hoped to be in the Second Division.
“Wewantto keep most of the squad.
“We will lose the loan players. They have been brilliant for us and I wish them every success.
“I have already started the process of talking to new recruits.
“I want players who can improve us and move the club forward again.
“We need to keep progressing.
“A lot of our players have put themselves in the shop window and it would not surprise me if other clubs are showing interest.
“I felt so sorry for them after the Albion Rovers game as they deserve to be up another level, whether that is with me or elsewhere. The indications are good that they want to stay again. We will get deals tied up and move on.”