Home   Sport   Article

Keith prepare for Aberdeenshire Cup semi-final against Fraserburgh by bringing in Przemyslaw Nawrocki, Jordan Robertson, Rhys Thomas and Connor Grant as latest signings





A NEW-LOOK Keith squad will aim to land a cup final place when the Maroons return to competitive action on Saturday.

Rhys Thomas (left) in action on loan at Huntly last season, has rejoined Keith – one of several new faces in the Maroons camp. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Rhys Thomas (left) in action on loan at Huntly last season, has rejoined Keith – one of several new faces in the Maroons camp. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

Co-managers Andy Roddie and Tommy Wilson have been busy over the past few weeks bringing in replacements for a number of players who have moved on to pastures new.

A more youthful Keith squad will play host to Fraserburgh on Saturday in the semi-finals of last season’s Aberdeenshire Cup, a tie that had to be shelved due to the pandemic.

With club captain Cammy Keith seemingly sticking to his decision to retire from football, and the likes of Craig MacAskill, Grant Thomson and Marc Young all leaving for junior clubs, Roddie revealed some of the new faces coming in.

He has signed centre-back Jordan Robertson, son of former Rangers, Aberdeen and Scotland star Davie, from Banchory St Ternan.

Replacing Cammy Keith in attack is Polish striker Przemyslaw Nawrocki, who had a spell with Brechin City last season.

And returning to the Maroons on loan from Cove Rangers is defender Rhys Thomas, who has a brief loan spell under previous boss Dean Donaldson and was also farmed out to Huntly last term.

Keith have also secured a loan deal with Highland League colleagues Fraserburgh to bring in teenage central defender Connor Grant, who signed for the Buchan side from Aberdeen.

Signed earlier this summer were goalkeeper Craig Reid, midfielders Tom Andrews and Mikey Ironside and full back Luke Emmett.

“Given that we’ve got a few new faces, we are back to that gelling phase and getting to know each other,” said Roddie.

“We are still in the throes of building a new squad and hopefully we can bring in another two or three.

“If you take out all the experienced players there who have moved on, its a rebuild for us. The squad is very much revamped, so it is going to take a bit of time to gel together and do all that. But it is certainly something that the guys are capable of doing.”

Keith also moved on both goalkeepers from last season, with David Dey moving to Turriff United and Greg Simpson joining Hermes in the juniors.

Ryan Spink was sold to Formartine United as part of the deal that brought Emmett to Keith.

MacAskill and Young both cited work commitments for the reason to drop down to the juniors with Banks o’ Dee, and Thomson has moved to Dyce Juniors.

The Maroons were also hit by a spate of injuries during their pre-season campaign. The worst was Scott Gray, who was stretchered off last weekend with a dislocated kneecap which will keep him sidelined for six weeks.

James Brownie is due back in training soon after twisting his knee as is new stopper Robertson who hurt his calf. Stewart Hutcheon and Michael Selfridge are expected to shake off recent knocks and train this week with a view towards making the squad for the Fraserburgh game.

Roddie also hopes to persuade Fraserburgh to allow former Dons teenager Grant to play against his parent club in the semi-final.

“He’s been excellent since he came in at centre back. He’s got a good head on his shoulders for his age, he reads the game very well and his distribution of the ball is excellent so I think he will have a bright future.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More