Peterhead defender Ryan Strachan has seen the uplift the City of Aberdeen has had from their Premiership side lifting the Scottish League Cup and he is determined that the Blue Toon also do their bit for football in the north-east.
Jim McInally’s side are within 5 points of lifting the League 2 title and in a season that had a disappointing start for Strachan there is a determination that it will come to a great end.
Strachan said: “The season has come good, really good for me and for Peterhead. I missed almost the first 4 months from August to December with an ankle injury. I never really got going until Christmas.”
“At that time I was just glad to get one game under my belt and now I could end the season with a league winners’ medal which is pretty good going.”
The injury was a frustrating one as Strachan explained: “Everyone knew where the problem was, it was on the sole of my foot under my ankle, however finding a cure was tougher. I still get problems now however the physio at the club built a sole for my boot and when I play with that in I can play pain free.”
Strachan is in his fifth season at Balmoor and the north east loon has enjoyed his time after failing to establish himself at both Aberdeen and Celtic.
“I enjoy it at Peterhead and I suppose I am one of the players in the squad that can be described as versatile,” said Strachan before adding, “I do not think anyone really knows what my real position is and I have been involved in every position since I came here nearly 5 years ago.”
“That versatility is needed as we do not have a really big squad numbers wise. Everyone in our squad is a very capable player and we have plenty of depth in quality but not the same in quantity.”
“I started off my career at Pittodrie and then moved on to Celtic but I was released by them in 2009 after a difficult season where I picked up an injury that ruled me out for several months. I have been at Peterhead ever since and I have never had a bad word about the club or the people here.”
Strachan continued: “We are not full time players but we are treated really well. Whilst we all have jobs elsewhere playing at Peterhead is important for everyone. I work as a Non-Destructive Testing inspector in the Oil Industry in Aberdeen and combine that with playing.”
Montrose were seen off 4-0 last weekend to move Jim McInally’s side to within 5 points of the League 2 title and after nearly a nervous hour it was Strachan who opened up the scoring with a lobbed effort that dropped in at the far post.
Strachan said: “It was only my second goal of the season. I am disappointed with that return but I was happy to chip in and get us going last weekend. I have been playing sweeper so my chances are limited and when you play with Peterhead your chances of scoring are further limited any way as Rory McAllister and Andy Rodgers usually do the business for us.”
“They have been brilliant for us and hopefully will continue that way until the end of the season next month.”
McAllister’s form is no surprise to Strachan who said: “I grew in Aberdeen and heard a lot about Rory growing up. Even though we are both from the same Northfield area of the city I did not know him until he came to Peterhead a couple of years ago.”
“He is a really good goalscorer and quite often the difference between teams on the pitch.”
It is however no one man show in blue and white colours with Strachan adding: “The manager has worked hard on producing a great team spirit. He is also a great believer if that if the team is winning you stick with the same starting XI so when you have a starting jersey you know what you need to do to keep hold of it.”
“We train hard and it is no great shock that the hard work we have put in over the season off the pitch is being rewarded with league points.”
The finishing line is in sight and Strachan is determined to help his side reach it first as he explained: “Hopefully we can remain clear of the field and get over that final hurdle and win the title. That will make it a great season and one that the club deserves.”
“I won a few medals as a schoolboy but nothing since so winning the league would be great for me. There are not many league winners in our team, if any at all, so all of us getting one together is really motivating. In fact it would mean everything.”
Strachan is also hoping that Jim McInally’s side can build on the feel good factor that Aberdeen created in the north east when they won the Scottish League Cup last month.
“Living and working up here you can sense that football is on the up,” said Strachan before adding: “Aberdeen have had the biggest success with the Scottish League Cup but it would be great if we could win something ourselves. I think that having one club in the north doing well inspires the others to do likewise.”
“It shows you that success is achievable and hopefully we can play our part in that. It would be a great achievement to be in the first squad to do that.”
A win at Clyde tomorrow will put glory within touching distance and Strachan said: “It will be a tough game but we have not looked any further than that. The manager is always saying to take things one game at a time. He doesn’t get carried away and he doesn’t want us to get carried away either.”
“The manager also does not change too many things and at the moment the only time he really speaks to us is at training. We are all extremely motivated and he does not see the need for lengthy team talks. “
“He doesn’t talk about other teams he just says don’t get carried away. He knows the motivation is in us.”
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