LOAN WATCH | Young Staggies Meet in Cup Action

Five young Staggies are currently out on loan across Scottish football at various levels with plenty of excitement around their development away from Dingwall.

Here, we take a look at their latest matches.

ADAM MACKINNON – MONTROSE

19-year old midfielder Adam MacKinnon joined cinch League One side Montrose on a season-long loan deal. The Stornoway-born middle man has one previous loan spell from County having turned out for Brora Rangers in both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns in the Highland League.

The young middle-man started the match and played a full 90 minutes as his side played out a tight affair with Dunfermline. Mackinnon was in the thick of the action on a scorching day at East End Park but the Mighty Mo failed to find the back of the net, with Nikolay Todorov scoring the all-important goal to hand three points to the Pars.

MATT WRIGHT – MONTROSE

Striker Matthew Wright was out of action a week previous but returned to the bench for his side over the weekend. Wright was introduced on 71 minutes as Montrose looked to grab a goal in the final stages. Wright made frequent runs at the Pars back-line but it would be the home side to take the points.

Montrose are next in action on Saturday at home to Clyde.

LOGAN ROSS – LOSSIEMOUTH

Goalkeeper Logan Ross has re-joined Highland League outfit Lossiemouth on loan for the 2022/23 campaign, having turned out for the Coasters 32 times last season in all competitions.

They say things sometimes get worse before they get better. That’s certainly the case for Lossiemouth. Last Saturday they played host to Fraserburgh where seven goals without reply saw the Coasters rooted to the foot of the Highland League. However, Wednesday night saw a different picture entirely.

The North of Scotland Cup against Forres Mechanics was a huge chance to get their season kick-started with Ross facing two of his County team mates. It took just five minutes for the first goal to arrive as Ryan Farquhar gave Lossie a surprise lead in the early exchanges.

Eight minutes before the break they made it 2-0 when Ross Archibald poked home in the box to double the lead. Goalkeeper Ross was called upon when County team-mate Connall Ewan’s header was stunningly denied with one hand to deny the Cans a way back into the game. In stoppage time it was another Staggie who looked to get past Ross, but Ryan Macleman’s effort was smothered and Lossie went through to the semi-final of the competition.

They’re next in action on Saturday at home to Wick Academy.

RYAN MACLEMAN – Forres Mechanics

18-year old midfielder Ryan Macleman signed his first professional contract with the Staggies in the summer of 2021 and after picking up experience in the Highland league last term, has joined Forres Mechanics.

Macleman and the Cans continued their fine start to the Highland League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Inverurie Loco Works. Macleman was involved in the build-up for the goal that proved to be the difference, as his through ball to Ethan Cairns who’s cross was turned into his own goal by defender Mark Souter. The County youngster played the full 90 minutes as the Cans made it three wins from four.

Of course they followed this up with defeat at Lossiemouth, with Macleman’s best chance being smothered by his County counterpart.

CONNALL EWAN – Forres Mechanics

Connall Ewan joined Forres on loan - the first of his career – during the summer at the age of 16.

After a game to remember a week previous against Nairn – with the youngster grabbing his first senior goal – he backed it up with a clean sheet and three points against Inverurie. Ewan has shown really good form during his loan spell and settled in well in men’s football.

He almost had a second career goal in the second half against Lossie, but his superb header was brilliantly saved by Logan Ross.

Forres are next in action against Huntley on Saturday.