Macnab fired up as he joins Wick strike force
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
NEW Wick Academy signing Gordy Macnab is determined to take the chance he has been given to prove he can be a success at Highland League level.
The 23-year-old striker became Scorries manager Tom McKenna’s first signing since taking charge at Harmsworth Park after impressing as a trialist earlier in the season.
Macnab said it didn’t take long for him to put pen to paper to confirm the deal and said it has been an ambition of his to be part of the squad for a long time.
“It is something that I have been wanting to do for the last few years,” he said.
“However I just felt it wasn’t the right time.
“But Tom contacted me and gave me the chance to train with the team and see how it went.
“When he offered me the chance to join the squad, it was an easy decision to make.”
As a teenager, Macnab was part of the youth set-up at Ross County for five years after starting his career at East End Boys Club.
He also travelled to the United States where he took up a football scholarship in Kansas for 18 months.
When he returned to Caithness, he played for Academy under Barry Wilson before making his name as a striker at Halkirk United in the North Caledonian League for four seasons.
He was also part of the Staxigoe United team which reached the Highland Amateur Cup final for the first time in August.
Macnab said he has now reached an age where he owes it to himself to find out if he can make it as a successful player in the SHFL.
“I enjoyed playing for Halkirk but I didn’t fancy playing in the NCL any more.
“I played just once for Halkirk this season before I was released.
“My career with Halkirk and Staxigoe United wasn’t really a factor in my decision to join Wick Academy.
“I just felt personally I needed to make a step up and was looking for the chance to do that.
“At 23 years old, now is the right time to give it a go.”
Macnab is also a fan of the Academy management team who he believes will take his football career in the right direction.
“Tom is a good guy and is nice to be around and I have enjoyed his training sessions.
“Ross Suttar and Richard Hughes also have a good knowledge of football and will bring the best out of everyone.”
Macnab took his chance to impress the management as a trialist, especially when he came on as a substitute and scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Keith at Kynoch Park last month.
However during the game he suffered a sprained knee ligament though he will be back in training next week, looking to be in contention for a first team spot.
“Because of my injury, I am hoping to be back at the turn of the year.
“I will try training this week so I can start building up strength.
“Due to the injury, I might be on the bench to start with but once I’m fit, I will take the chance to show I’m good enough.
“I hope I will get the chance and get a regular slot in the first team.”
Academy may have made the poorest start to a season in recent years being eight points adrift in 14th.
But he is confident they can kick on to start moving up the table in the second half of the season.
“There are things that need to be worked on and I think the main problem has been getting a consistent team.
“But the right players are in the squad to create a good team with a good manager and hopefully things will work out.
“It is just going to take time to make it happen but the right team is there to do it.”
