I'll keep playing as long as I think I'm contributing, says Wick manager Gary Manson

Gary Manson has featured in the Wick Academy line-up more often than he was bargaining for this season – but he will continue to combine playing with managing for as long as he feels he can contribute to the team.

The 38-year-old left-back played his 15th game of the season in all competitions in the 2-2 draw at Brora last weekend.

“I've always said that if me playing gives us a better chance of winning then I have no problem in playing," he said. "I still feel fit enough, I still feel sharp enough that I can contribute on a Saturday.

“That's 15 games I've played now so it's almost exactly half of our games this season.

“It's probably slightly more than I would have anticipated – but I would never have anticipated the injuries and the unavailability of players that we've had. You can't foresee that at the start of the season.

"It's more through necessity rather than me playing because people are out of form or anything like that.

“Fair enough, I'm a little bit older than I used to be, but I don't see any problem in playing into your late thirties. As long as I think I'm contributing to what will be a successful outcome then I'm quite happy to play.”

Manson made his debut in August 2000 and has made 678 appearances for the club, scoring 54 goals.

Academy will be looking to take another step towards a top-eight finish when they meet ninth-placed Nairn County at Harmsworth Park this weekend.

Related stories:

• Wick manager Manson takes positives after Brora rescue a point in stoppage time

• Scorries so close to ending long run without league win against Brora

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