The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Dodd is planning City gala day in cup
Netherdale: Elgin midfielder taking lower-league experience into away tie
Elgin midfielder Chris Dodd hopes to use his nonleague experience in City’s Scottish Cup tie at Gala Fairydean Rovers today.
Dodd joined Elgin from junior club Jeanfield Swifts in the summer after helping the Perth side win promotion to the East Superleague.
The 25-year-old reckons Lowland League side Gala are of a similar standard to his former clubandwill not treat today’s opponents lightly at Netherdale.
He said: “We need to approach the game in the right manner, just any League 2 game.
“They will be a decent standard. The league Gala are in is a similar standard to the one I got promoted to with Jeanfield Swifts last season and the fact they play on an artificial pitch will mean they play the ball quite well. They would be about the same level as a good junior side, so it’s a tie to be wary of.”
After being limited to mainly substitute appearances at the start of the season, Dodd has enjoyed a run of starts, scoring in victories against Stirling Albion and Edinburgh City.
Dodd reckons he is beginning to adapt to the step up to League 2, adding: “I found it a bit difficult to start with, although that was down to a couple of niggling injuries.
“The league is a bit quicker and more physical. I’ve had to get fitter as it’s a step up from the juniors.
“After training with the squad for a few weeks I now feel more comfortable.
“When I came here I didn’t think too much about it, I just wanted to try to get myself into the team and I’ve enjoyedmy time so far. It’s been great to get a couple of goals as well.”
Dodd was joined in making the move to Borough Briggs by former Swifts team-mate Chris McLeish, which helped him settle at his new club.
He added: “I played with Chris for two seasons. There are five or six players who come from the central belt, so we travel together between two cars for home games, and for training in Inverness on a Thursday.
“It helps there are a few of us, rather than just travelling on my own.”
“The league Gala are in is a similar standard to the one I got promoted to”