Mccann-do attitude at Carlton keeps faith with youth

FORMER Ireland international Rory Mccann takes over the captaincy of Carlton this afternoon as they look to keep up the pressure on the top two in the CSL Eastern Premiership.

With regular skipper Gordon Drummond in Jersey coaching the Scotland under-19s and other senior players like Preston Mommsen (international duty), Fraser Watts (unavailable) and Steve Gilmour (injured) also out, Mccann will lead the thirdplaced side against Heriot’s at Grange Loan.

The 30-year-old batsman earned 15 senior caps for Ireland and played numerous times for Ireland “A”, but since 2013 he has been based in Edinburgh.

He has played a number of matches for Carlton over the last three seasons – when he has had time away from his role as assistant director of sport and head of cricket at Merchiston Castle School – and is looking forward to today.

“Carlton is a great club and I have loved playing for them over the last three seasons when I have been able to turn out. With a few experienced guys away, myself and others will need to step up, but I also have great faith in the young players we have,” he said. “As the young players are playing at a pretty good level in the Championship with the second XI each week, when they step into the ones, they are not overawed and indeed a number of them now have quite a bit of firstteam experience under their belts.

“Obviously, as a team we were disappointed to lose to Arbroath two weeks ago and then see last week’s match rained off, but we are still in the title race and in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

“As a result, today is a very important game and it also gives players a chance to stake their claim for keeping their place for other big matches coming up in the next few weeks.” Among those coming into the Carlton XI today are Kyle Macpherson and Fraser Allardice, while Scotland cap Hamish Gardiner is back.

Heriot’s have Kevin Mclaren, David Ross and Charlie Macleod returning.

With seven rounds of matches still to play, Carlton know they cannot afford many more slipups if they are to keep on the tails of leaders Mazars Grange and second-placed Arbroath.

Grange make the short trip across Edinburgh to take on bottom side RH Corstorphine, while Arbroath host Falkland.

Falkland will make the trip to Lochlands without skipper Safyaan Sharif as he duty.

Stoneywood-dyce have Mike Louw, Eddie Steinson and Michael Hood back as they prepare to take on Autoecosse Forfarshire. With Craig Wallace away with the national team, former Scotland cap Matthew Parker captains the visitors.

After winning the Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy last Friday night Watsonians will look to take that confidence into the league when they make the trip north to Aberdeenshire.

The home side have had pretty consistent selections this term to date and skipper Tyler Buchan has named an unchanged side for the Mannofield clash.

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