Curran misses La Manga trip after head knock in defeat of Elgin
Ross County striker Craig Curran was missing when the Dingwall squad headed out to their pre-season training camp in Spain’s La Manga yesterday after picking up a head knock in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Elgin City.
The friendly contest was won by a goal by trialist John Herron on 71 minutes, and with Curran having already missed 18 months of his career following a head injury, the Dingwall club are taking no chances. Manager Jim Mcintyre said: “It does not look like it was as severe as the injury a couple of years ago, but Craig will miss out on the training and games against Murcia and Valenciennes.”
Shaun Tuton marked his trialist appearance for Motherwell with a long-distance goal midway through the first-half in their 2-0 win at Stirling Albion with Ryan Bowman adding the second.
In a closed-door encounter Partick Thistle defeated Dunfermline 4-2, Steven Lawless scoring two penalties for the Jags. Kris Doolan and Mark Lamont also netted, while the Pars scored through Michael Paton when they were three down and a trialist right at the death.
I nverness Caledonian Thistle defeated hosts Forres Mechanics 1-0 thanks to a header by Brad Mckay, pictured, 13 minutes from time as Caley Thistle boss John Robertson ran his eye over seven trialists. Morton new boys Bob Mchugh and Robert Thomson scored in the Greenock club’s 3-0 success at Stenhousemuir with recentlypromotedunder-20playerben Armour adding a late third.
In Gary Locke’s last game in charge of Cowdenbeath, the Blue Brazil bounced back from two down to defeat visitors Queen of the South 3-2.
Goals by Andy Stirling and Stephen Dobbie had the Championship side leading, but Cammy Muirhead’s double and David Syme’s header sent Locke on his way to his new job as principle ambassador at Hearts with a smile. Championship-bound Brechin City defeated Spartans 2-0 at Glebe Park with a 25-yard goal by Chris O’neil before half-time added to by a trialist in the second half, while Stranraer and Dumbarton played out a goalless draw, both sides hitting the woodwork. Queen’s Park defeated a young Partick Thistle side 3-1. Thomas Orr and Anton Brady had given the Spiders a two-goal lead and Ewan Macpherson rolled in the third after Aidan Fitzpatrick pulled a goal back following a fine solo run.
New signing Joao Victoria hit a double as Albion Rovers defeated Clyde 2-1 with David Goodwillie heading in for the Bully Wee. Barry Douglas believes his £1 million switch to ambitious Wolves can be a springboard to the English Premier League.
The former Queen’s Park and Dundee United fullback has signed a two-year deal with the Molineux men, joining from Turkish outfit Bursaspor.
Douglas is Wolves’ fourth summer signing following the takeover of Chinese investment giants Fosun and they have been linked with a club record £18m move for Porto wonderkid Ruben Neves.
Sothescotfirmlybelieves the club are primed for a tilt at the title.
“I know Wolves are a big club and that this is an exciting challenge for me. They are going through a transformation at the moment and getting involved in that appealed to me,” said Douglas.
“I share the ambition to play at the highest level possible and at a club like Wolves the opportunity is there to push for promotion and play in the Premier League.
“The Championship is one of the most respected leagues in the world and I think that is why it was so appealing to come and test myself here. A few of my friends play in the Championship and it is a very competitive league which I have always kept an eye on.
“I don’t think it is clear who will succeed in this division – it is all about whoever can put a decent run together. If we go about our business and we do well then we have got a great chance.”
As well as enjoying a successful campaign with Konyaspor, winning the Turkish Cup for the first time in their history last term, well-travelled Douglas also won the Polish league title with Lech Poznan in 2014-15, but he is now ready for a new challenge closer to home.
“It has been a bit of adventure for me over the last four or five years!” he added. “I have a really strong mentality and have been able to adapt in different countries. I have matured so much as a person with these moves and I think everything has improved for me.”