McLaughlin Hails “Invaluable” Camp
Clyde midfielder Scott McLaughlin believes that there is “a lot to look forward to” this season following the club’s successful training camp in Jersey.
The 32-year-old midfielder was one of 10 members of last season’s squad to re-sign after narrowly losing out in the play-off final and, speaking to the official website, he said that it was an easy decision to make:-
“As soon as the gaffer spoke to me I was happy to sign. A few clubs phoned me but I didn’t take much notice as I had already made my mind up when the gaffer asked me to stay on.
“It was an easy decision for me, as I’m sure it was for the other boys.”
McLaughlin and the rest of the squad returned from a five-day training camp in Jersey on Tuesday and, despite the gruelling training schedule, he spoke very highly about the trip:-
“It was brilliant getting away and getting to know the new guys. I’ve been around a long time so I know most people in Scottish football but it is good to get to know the guys personally and I’m sure they will fit in well in the squad.
“It was really hard work – we had seven sessions squeezed into four or five days so it was hard, but when you are in between training sessions you are mixing together and everyone was getting on well which is a good sign. It was invaluable getting to know the guys, particularly for a part-time team, and I’m looking forward to getting back into training and seeing them again.
“If Jersey is anything to go by then we will be a tight-knit group and we will do our best to try to win the league this year.”
During the trip, each of the summer signings had to perform an initiation song in front of their new team-mates and coaching staff and, while McLaughlin was pleased with how the training went, he wasn’t quite as impressed with the singing performances.
“The songs weren’t of the best standard,” he said. “Matty Flynn wasn’t bad… he didn’t have the best voice but he was an entertainer, I’ll give him that!”
The squad are back in training tonight before taking on Airdrie on Saturday in the first home friendly of the summer. Following the Airdrie match the squad face friendlies against Dunfermline and a Celtic XI before the competitive action kicks-off with a Betfred Cup tie against Kilmarnock on July 16th.
McLaughlin concluded: “We won’t have a huge amount of training sessions now as we’ve got a lot of games but that will suit the boys – you would always rather play games than train. Airdrie on Saturday will be a good test as they have been in training for a while too, but at this stage you can’t really look at the results, it’s all about getting fit.
“I’m confident going into the season ahead and pleased with how the new boys have settled in, while all of the other boys have also come back in great shape. There is a lot to look forward to.”