Buckie Thistle new boy Darryl McHardy will be unleashed as an attacking left back in Highland League football next season following his move from Elgin City
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A goalscoring centre back at Elgin City, Darryl McHardy could have a different role to play with new club Buckie Thistle.
The 28-year-old completed a move to Jags last week after more than a decade in the SPFL with his home town Elgin.
McHardy plans to seize his fresh opportunity with both hands and revealed how Jags manager Graeme 'Spider' Stewart could unleash his talents in the wide areas of the pitch.
"I think I’m going to be playing left back in an attacking sense to start with and see how that goes," he said. "I’m so fit just now I would like to get the chance at playing as an attacking left back.
"I said to the manager if I find I’m out of my depth then I'll go back into centre half alongside Jack (Murray) or whatever.
"I will give it a go and I can see myself playing well in the Highland league at left back as long as I look after myself and keep myself fit. I can see myself getting forward and scoring a lot more goals than I have of late."
McHardy played at Elgin with current Jags stars Josh Peters and Kyle MacLeod and is looking forward to teaming up with his old pals again.
"I know a few of the Buckie players already, guys like Marcus Goodall. And I’ve always stayed proper good pals with Josh Peters, and Skelly (Kyle MacLeod) as well.
"Myself and Josh have stayed really close since he left Elgin and we get on really well and he was messaging me saying that I should sign (for Buckie) because it’s a good club."
Read more: Elgin exit still hurts McHardy.
McHardy is no stranger to Highland League football, having spent half a season on loan from Elgin at Rothes a few years ago.
But he is in no doubt that his move to Buckie will bring much-needed silverware to himself and the club.
Jags haven't won a trophy since their title success in 2017, with Stewart at the helm, and McHardy is determined to help end the club's wait for success.
"I’ve never won any trophies, so that will be the first thing. Most importantly we want to win the Highland League and I want to help them get promoted in my first year - that would be amazing.
"Knowing my own ability I just thought it was the club I could go and win the Highland League with. That’s the main ambition."
McHardy believes his second spell in the Highland League can be profitable at a club an infrastructure and support geared towards success.
He says he will also enjoy spending less time travelling to games.
"I remember my time at Rothes and it was decent. I enjoyed that.
"The top end of the table is more like your League 2 standard and I am looking forward to playing my football more locally.
"My family will come and watch me in every game. My dad had travelled all over the place when I was at Elgin but my other family will come to games when it’s not so far and I'm looking forward to spending more time at home.
"It’s a new start for me, and the club seems like a family-run club so I have a good vibe."
