Academy striker Anderson quits Scorries for Rothes
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WICK ACADEMY striker Steven Anderson has stunned Scorries fans by quitting the club to join fellow Highland League side Rothes.
Anderson, who topped Academy's goal-scoring charts last season, has signed a 12-month deal with the Moray club.
His new boss Steven MacDonald has hailed Steven's capture as "a major coup" for Rothes - with some justification given Anderson's prowess in front of goal.
The move though came as a surprise to Wick boss Tom McKenna who had been hopeful of persuading Steven to put pen to paper on a new contract.
However, the Scorries gaffer will have to cast out his scouting net to land a replacement before the new season starts.
McKenna said: “It just hit me when I found out.
“Ando had the decency to phone me – which was good of him – but I was hopeful of being able to keep him and we did all we could to try and do that.
“He’s moving down to Inverness with his girlfriend and feels more comfortable playing for a club closer to him than commuting all the way up here and back.
"We've had players in the past who have commuted from Inverness but each to their own. He's got to decide what he feels is right for him.
“It’s a hard void for us to fill as you’re looking to build on the previous season with your best players. But I have just got to get on with what I’ve got at my disposal.
"It's a pity we've lost him because Ando was one of those players who when he got the ball, you knew something was likely to happen - and it usually did.
"It's disappointing that I won't have him in the squad next season but it's a huge opportunity for someone to step up and make his old position their own.
"Craig Gunn will have had a full pre-season behind him and will hopefully be back to his old self after what happened to him at Brora.
"Davie Allan came back towards the end of last season after a long spell out with injury so he'll be ready to go again.
"Plus our youngsters did well to win the league last season so the chance is there for them to knock on the door for first team places - not just Ando's.
"Good luck to Steven as I'm sure he'll do well there. But we've just got to get on with it and build for next season without him."
