Aberdeen Press and Journal reports

Whiteford bonus for Highland
centre’s return north will add much needed experience to young inverness club
By Paul Smith

Published: 26/09/2008

Highland have signed centre Michael Whiteford from Glasgow Hawks in time for this weekend’s match at Kilmarnock.

The experienced campaigner has returned to his north roots due to work commitments and the Inverness club has benefited.

Coach Hugh Mackintosh said: “Michael has given Glasgow good service and adds valuable experience to our squad. We have a very young team this year, having lost five mainstays through a combination of moves away from the area and retirement during the summer.

“Michael is 27 now and he will be a good guiding hand for the less experienced players around him. It’s a great boost to have him on board and it gives everyone confidence for the season ahead.”

Highland defeated Newton Stewart 22-10 in National League Division 2 last weekend for the club’s first victory of the campaign.

Tomorrow’s trip to face Killie is another challenging fixture but Macintosh is not daunted.

He said: “The win has given everyone a lift, although at one stage we threatened to let them back into the game. Confidence is still a little bit on edge but we can build it in the weeks ahead.

“We had a fantastic training session on Tuesday night and numbers are strong. We have a lot of good young players coming through.

“We held Kilmarnock to a 10-10 draw in Ayrshire last season. They are a very forward orientated side, but I feel our lively backs can cause them some problems.”

Rory Cross is unavailable this weekend due to university commitments, while Craig Finlater has left Highland to join Watsonians after moving to university in Edinburgh. Peter Weir will be absent due to work commitments while Richard Sim and Gareth High are both major injury doubts.

This article was posted on 26-Sep-2008, 10:23 by Hugh Barrow.