McKenna taking nothing for granted
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WICK boss Tom McKenna is not getting carried away ahead of tomorrow’s Ken Green Challenge Cup match against Orkney.
The Scorries got their pre-season off to a flying start as Ross County’s youngsters were comfortably seen off in a 3-1 victory.
A confident second-half display saw McKenna’s men turn the screws on the Dingwall side in what was their first outing since the end of the 2017/18 Highland League campaign.
Orkney are next up and they will be coming into this fixture on the back of an Archer Shield success against a Caithness XI.
But on the basis of last week, Wick fans may well be forgiven for anticipating a win – even though the Academy gaffer is looking at an even bigger picture.
He said: “I don’t want to get too carried away about last Saturday because, at the end of the day, Ross County fielded a mixture of reserves and young lads.
“Our maturity and experience saw us through in what was a good performance by ourselves. What was more important is that we got ourselves a good workout because nothing beats playing games.
“As I said last week, the boys have been first class in their attitude towards pre-season training and we’re looking for another good workout on Saturday.
“There were plenty of positives to take from the game. Craig Gunn did well and looked very sharp and it was good to get Marc MacGregor back.
“It was nice to have a target man to aim at up front. We’re still looking at prospective new faces. Most of all we need a goalkeeper, not only as cover but to give our first-choice keeper Sean McCarthy a bit of competition.
“Sean’s brother Danny was our back-up option last season but he left us in the close season.
“Danny, quite understandably, wanted regular first-team action and the chance to make a name for himself.
“He’s joined Invergordon because he didn’t want to keep on living in Sean’s shadow.”
Of tomorrow’s match against Orkney, although there is a cup at stake – named after a stalwart local football administrator – McKenna believes that getting his side through another 90 minutes is the main priority.
He said: “To be perfectly honest, I don’t know too much about them. Ross Suttar and Richard Hughes [assistant managers] have given me little bits and pieces of information about them.
“For me, this game is first and foremost about getting the lads a good workout and another game under their belt before the league begins.
“It would be good to win, but this month is all about getting the players match fit and sharp. The goal of pre-season is to be fully prepared when the proper stuff starts. So we’ll be concentrating on getting ourselves right.”
