Low in as new boss at Harlaw Park

Disappointed Robertson stresses importance of not letting up

Andy Low has been appointed as the new Inverurie Locos manager.

The 35-year-old, a former Locos and Buckie midfielder, succeeds Neil Cooper who left the Harlaw Park club last week.

Low and Steven Park were placed in temporary charge for Saturday’s 3-1 Scottish Cup win against Rothes at Mackessack Park 3-1 which set up a third-round tie against Broxburn Athletic or Cowdenbeath.

The Highland League club confirmed the appointment of Low in a statement, which read: “Andy has latterly been the first-team coach and is no stranger to anyone at Locos or in Highland League circles, having enjoyed successful playing stints at Harlaw Park and won every north football honour during his playing days.

“The club can also confirm that former Locos captain Steven Park remains as assistant manager, with goalkeeping coach Steven Pratt also remaining, ensuring further continuity.

“The football club felt it crucial to move swiftly at this pivotal stage of the football season, with this timely announcement allowing everyone connected with Inverurie Locos to focus entirely on football matters.

“The club wishes all the coaching staff continued success and thanks them, and the players, for their professionalism across recent days, including the Scottish Cup round two victory on Saturday.”

Low begins his tenure with a tough opening match against Fraserburgh at Bellslea on Saturday.

Locos currently sit fourth in the league table having won nine of their opening 12 matches and sit only six points behind leaders Buckie Thistle.

Caley Thistle manager John Robertson hopes his players have learned a valuable lesson from Saturday’s draw with Alloa Athletic.

With Championship leaders Dundee United and second-place Ayr United both suffering defeats, a victory against the Wasps would have taken Inverness to the top of the league.

They were on course for maximum points against Peter Grant’s men having recovered from Liam Buchanan’s early opener to lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Carl Tremarco and Jordan White.

But Alan Trouten snatched a point for Alloa in the 89th minute, leaving Caley Thistle in third spot and a point adrift of Dundee United and Ayr.

Robertson said: “It was a throwback to last season when we got ourselves in front and then conceded a silly late goal.

“It would have been hugely important for us to win the game, reach 19 points and be able to say we were top of the league.

“It would have been great for our reputation if Dundee United, Dundee and Ayr had lost but Caley Thistle had won again.

“We said to the players after the game how important it is to keep working hard and not switch off.

“We still had a chance when James Keatings was desperately unlucky to hit the underside of the bar and on another day we would have won.

“We are disappointed with the performance because it is not even close to how well we have been playing.

“Having dug it out, we should have had the professionalism and strength of character to see that game out.”

Caley Thistle defeated Alloa 3-0 in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup the previous week but Robertson was anticipating a sterner test this time.

“We started the game at too low a tempo. Our midfielders were wanting to drop off and not hurt them with balls forward.

“Our wide men weren’t really causing problems in the key areas,” he said.

“I hoped conceding the early goal would wake us up but we were laboured and our choice of passing was poor.

“We work really hard on our passing and movement but that was non-existent.

“We created one or two chances and I thought young Roddy MacGregor looked lively when we got him on to the ball and into the game.

“The second half was better as we upped the pace and worked really hard to get in front with five minutes to go.

“That is why it was so disappointing that we weren’t able to hold on because that is when you need to be disciplined and controlled.”

The Caley Jags will look to bounce back when they travel to Cappielow on Saturday to face Greenock Morton.

DON’T REPEAT MISTAKES: John Robertson said Saturday’s game was a throwback to the last campaign