New manager will look at 'a few tweaks' to get Thurso moving up the North Caley table
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Thurso's new manager Michael Bremner is confident he can guide the Vikings up the North Caledonian League without having to make wholesale changes to the squad.
The 38-year-old former Halkirk United player and manager has been appointed until the end of the season and will be assisted by coach Scott Davidson.
Bremner replaces Stevie Reid, who announced his resignation last week with Thurso second from bottom of the table.
“I'm looking forward to it," Bremner said. “It's until the end of the season so we'll see how it goes.
"It's a good squad they've got. There are a lot of good young boys, and some of the older boys too.
“Marc Macgregor could probably still be doing a job for Wick in the Highland League.
"I'll maybe try and get a few boys in that I know from my time at Halkirk but it doesn't need a big reshape of the squad – it just needs a few tweaks here and there maybe, and the rub of the green too.
“I know the league position doesn't look good, but it doesn't take much to go on a wee run and get further up the table. Anybody can beat anybody in this league."
Bremner had five years as Halkirk United manager and during that time the Anglers won the league twice.
“We were quite successful," he said. "At the start, when I first took over, it was a bit of a shambles but after a couple of years it came good.”
Although he has been away from the North Caley scene for a while, Bremner is well aware how competitive a league it is. “It's a lot better this year with a lot more teams," he said.
He is looking forward to linking up with Davidson again.
"Scott used to help me out at Halkirk so I've worked with him before there," Bremner said. "We're happy to work together."
Bremner played for Wick Academy for a couple of seasons as a teenager and is well known on the county league scene. He works for Precision Blinds in Thurso.
His first game in charge of the Vikings will be away to Nairn County "A" this weekend. Last Saturday's match against St Duthus at Naver was abandoned after 55 minutes because of high winds.
Thurso have won two and lost five of their opening seven league fixtures but they have the Football Times Cup final against Halkirk United to look forward to next weekend.
Bremner will have a better idea of personnel after the second of this week's training sessions but is hoping to welcome back first-choice keeper Asa Sinclair in the near future. With Sinclair injured, Ryan Robertson has been deputising in goal over the past couple of weeks.
“I was speaking to Scott Davidson about it and he says Asa is not far away – he could make it for the cup final the week after, I think,” the new manager said.
Bremner encountered Stevie Reid many times both as a player and manager. "I've known him for a long time. He has done a great job," he said.
North Caledonian League fixtures for Saturday: Loch Ness v Golspie Sutherland; Inverness Athletic v Bonar Bridge; Halkirk United v Orkney (2.15pm); Nairn County “A” v Thurso (1pm); St Duthus v Invergordon.
