Covid-19 isolation disrupts Rothes Football Club's pre-season but manager Ross Jack unveils signing of Greg Morrison, Wayne Mackintosh, Shane Harkness and Michael Finnis
ROTHES have come out of Covid isolation with four new signings on board for the new season.
Manager Ross Jack recently closed down all operations in the Speysiders’ camp for 12 days as a precaution when someone came into close contact with a friend who tested positive for coronavirus.
The shutdown meant that Jack’s meticulous pre-season programme of training and games was thrown into disarray and he is now trying to pick up the pieces.
However, he has added experience to his squad with four notable signings to replace key men who moved on earlier this year.
Jamie Duff and Gregg Main retired while top scorer Ali Sutherland joined Brora and Steven Anderson moved back to former club Wick, leaving some gaps to fill.
Coming in last week were attacker Greg Morrison from Brora Rangers, stopper Michael Finnis from Clach and midfielder Wayne Mackintosh, who spent many years at Nairn County and Formartine United before joining Clach for a spell earlier this year.
Joining from Caley Thistle is young striker Shane Harkness, who impressed on loan from the Inverness side last season but had made the permanent move to MacKessack Park.
“We needed to take some bodies in because we have lost some quality players,” said Jack.
“Greg thought it was time for a change and he’s looked good in training. I’m looking forward to seeing him in a competitive game."
Morrison started with Ross County and had a spell with Elgin City before winning the league with Brora last season and scoring in their League 2 play-off defeat to Kelty Hearts.
Harkness netted on his Rothes debut on loan from Inverness against Newtongrange Star in the Scottish Cup.
“Shane scored two goals in four games and he’s a finisher with excellent potential," Jack added.
“Michael is a leader who was captain at Clach for many years and gives us great experience.
“I have to hold my hands up to Wayne who showed a desire to get back and train and play with us. He didn’t think it was fair to either of us to make a decision on signing until he proved his fitness and he’s more than done that.
“Our preparations have been a bit of a disaster because of the enforced break so we are working hard to get up to speed for the start of the league season.”
Rothes host Stonehaven in a friendly on Saturday before taking on fellow Highland League sides Strathspey Thistle (home) and Deveronvale (away) in friendlies to prepare for the big league start on July 24.