Peterhead manager Jim McInally reckons that the competition amongst his squad for a starting place against Clyde on Saturday is the strongest that it has been all season.
A fine display last weekend in a 1-0 success over Falkirk together with the return of Andrew McCarthy from a two-game suspension and Ryan Duncan from Scotland under-19 duty has the Balmoor boss scratching his head over the starting XI for Broadwood.
Jim said: “It is a fantastic problem to have. If you look back to earlier this month you would have said that both Andy and Ryan would start games. However players stepped up to the mark in their absence with Simon Ferry reminding everyone how good he is when he returned last Saturday and Jack Brown showing the potential he has as well.”
“Gary Fraser is also closing in on his first start after his lengthy absence however we must be careful with him. We cannot rush him and he cannot rush himself.”
“At the weekend we had nine substitutes and that was a first. The players now know that they must perform to keep a starting jersey.”
The Blue Toon gaffer may however be forced into changes he does not want to as he explained: “A couple of defenders picked up knocks on Saturday, Rico Quitongo and Andrew McDonald. I will keep checking in on them before picking my team. If they do not make it there will be no panic, as we have other options available with Ryan Conroy, Owen Cairns, Flynn Duffy and Danny Strachan all looking for starting jerseys.”
“Russell McLean was not fully fit so did not start against Falkirk but he could be back at Clyde. We are now at a stage where we have options all over the pitch. Hopefully that will continue until the end of the season.”
