Thursday 10th June 2021
ROSS MACLEAN has almost gone back to the start.
Not quite back to Motherwell, where his journey in senior football began. But he’ll be captained by one of his close friends, who he met there.
The winger’s move to Dumbarton has him working again with Stuart Carswell, who he played alongside in the youth ranks at Fir Park.
Having turned out for Morton, Falkirk and Queen’s Park since his Motherwell days, he arrives at Dumbarton as a champion, having won League Two with the Spiders last season.
His time with them ended there, but he is aiming for their loss to be Sons’ gain, having signed a two-year deal with the club today.
It was a decision he made despite overtures from full-time football.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Ross said: “I’m delighted. I went to speak to Stevie Farrell and Frank McKeown and the plans they have set out just sold it for me.
“It suited me to a tee hearing how they were planning to take the club forward. I know what it’s like at Dumbarton, a great stadium and pitch – it was a no-brainer to be honest.
“Last season was one of my first trophies in my career, and it was a very good feeling being in the changing room with a lot of high demand on Queens.
“It’s going to be the same with Stevie. It was good to be involved, there was a lot of pressure on us to win games and it was a great feeling to get it over the line.
“I know Stuart very well – we played together at Motherwell and I’m really close friends with him. And I know a couple of the other players, so hopefully I’ll settle in quickly.
“You know what Carsy is like – I’m looking forward to it and I’m not looking forward to it! But to be honest, he sold it to me as well.
“He spoke highly of the club and that moved me towards it. I had quite a few options, including full-time options as well, but I spoke to boys who have played under the management and that brought my decision about.”
The signing means a move into part-time football, but Ross regards playing for Sons as a full-time job.
And he is aiming high for the season to come, with pre-season training due to start on Saturday.
He added: “My main attention is on Dumbarton, coming here and doing well. Hopefully I can get a part-time job to keep myself ticking over away from football.
“But Dumbarton are my priority. In my head, they are my full-time job.
“With the players already recruited, I would aim for the top four at least. I don’t see why not to push to finish there.
“You saw the league last year – every time took points off each other, so why not look to push for that?”
Andy Galloway