Mainland at the ready for Scots

Manager Reid delighted to be able to turn to Lovat defender

Craig Mainland of Lovat has been called in to Scotland’s squad for tomorrow’s shintyhurling international with Ireland – as Kinlochshiel top scorer John MacRae has pulled out after undergoing surgery on the hand injury he sustained last weekend.

New team manager Garry Reid is delighted to have defender Mainland in his side at Bught Park, Inverness, tomorrow.

Reid said: “It’s a shame for John but he had an operation on Monday and joins his brother Keith, also injured, in being ruled out.

“Craig has done well in the training sessions and I’m pleased to have such a powerful player available, giving me squad flexibility.”

In making his first senior selection, the former under-21s international boss emphasised that he has tried to reward players who have had a good season.

He said: “That sees me with a squad containing more than 100 caps, so we won’t be short on experience.

“As under-21s manager, I knew Arran MacPhee was an outstanding young player who scored two goals against the Irish last year.

“He was fully capable of playing at senior international level and I’d pencilled him in.

“When he underwent knee surgery, that seemed to rule Arran out, which was very disappointing. But he returned for Fort’s last game of the season and he’s looked very good in our international training sessions, forcing himself in at the end, so I’m extremely pleased to have him in the squad.”

Reid has recalled Shaun Nicholson, who grabbed goals in Lochaber’s revival, but has challenges in defence, with Oban’s Daniel Cameron injured and Lovat’s Callum Cruden on an Australasia year-out.

“It won’t be easy as the Irish haven’t won at Inverness since 2013 and they’ll be itching to put that right”, said Reid.

“The new management team of Tipperary’s Willie Maher and Kilkenny’s Conor Phelan will bring a more determined approach.”