Wick boss seeks chat over Mackay's future
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Wick Academy boss Tom McKenna says he'll need to have a sit-down with Sam Mackay to discuss the midfielder's future.
Speculation has arisen that the 30-year-old may be planning to call it a day at the end of the season.
If Mackay is to retire from Highland League football it would be a huge blow to Academy.
Mackay joined the Scorries in 2009 following five seasons at Brora Rangers and a brief spell at Deveronvale, and has been an integral part of the Scorries' midfield engine.
McKenna insists that Mackay is still very much part of his squad.
He said: "To be honest with you, I've not heard anything concrete on what Sam's plans are.
"During my time as head coach of this club, I've heard all sorts of rumours on various players retiring or choosing to play in the summer league instead.
"Until a player tells me himself one way or the other, I don't pay attention to speculation.
"I still see Sam as a Wick Academy player, although the next time we meet up at training I will need to speak to him to clarify what's happening or not happening and take it from there."
One other player's future that is still up in the air is Marc Macgregor.
Marc says he's still feeling the pain in his knee when he bends it.
The 25-year-old striker – the club's top scorer last season – has been absent throughout the 2019/20 campaign with a knee injury and he does not look like returning to action any time soon.
McKenna said: "I can't see Marc back in action for us this season, which is a shame because he has been a huge loss to us.
"We've lacked someone who can hold the ball up for us up front and draw other players into the attack.
"In the conversations we've had, Marc says he's still feeling the pain in his knee when he bends it. He's still waiting on a scan to determine what exactly is wrong with it.
"We've not come to that point in the road yet where he says he'll have to give up the game.
"That will be a bridge to cross should it happen. However, that would be jumping the gun.
"The scan, once he's had it, could well reveal an issue that can be easily treated which will one day see him playing with us again.
"When I arrived, it was a good long while before I had Davie Allan available for selection as he had a long-term injury.
"Hopefully Marc will be in the same boat as him and be back with us soon."
Wick Academy have a free weekend as it is their turn to miss a fixture in the 17-team Highland League.
It will mean a third successive Saturday without a match for the Scorries, following the postponement of their scheduled home games
against Nairn County and Huntly due to the weather.
Tom McKenna's men will return to action on February 22 when Rothes come to Harmsworth Park – starting a sequence of four home fixtures out of five for Academy.
They are at home to Strathspey Thistle on February 29 and away to league leaders Brora Rangers on March 7.
Next up is the rearranged home game against Nairn on March 21 before Inverurie Locos head north the following Saturday.
Meanwhile, the draw for the Utilita Highland League Cup semi-finals has given Formartine
United a home tie against Rothes while Brora take on Buckie Thistle.
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