Strathspey Thistle manager Brian Grant has warned of a Seafield Park clear-out after Saturday’s 4-0 home North Cup defeat to Nairn County.
Grant blamed a lack of commitment from several players who were missing, leading to an under-strength bench with reserve goalkeeper Stewart Black sent on as an attacker with half an hour to go.
Grant said: “When we have to field one of our goalkeepers in attack for the last 30 minutes I would expect to be beaten.
“Stewart Black came off the bench as we had no team at all. I’m disappointed with what happened on Saturday, there is a severe lack of commitment from many of the players at the club and it has got to be addressed.
“Some players are going to have to go, it’s as simple as that, and I certainly won’t be frightened to wield the axe.
“One player, who shall remain nameless, did not turn up on Saturday, it’s glaringly obvious some of these players just want to stick to local amateur football. If they have no ambition and that’s what they want to do, then they should go and do not sign professional forms with a Highland league club.”
Grant’s work on rebuilding a squad for next season has already begun, when he added: “I have already spoken to five or six players who will show the commitment we are looking for, and we have also spoken to one or two local players who also look likely to come on board for next season.”
Turning his attention to tonight’s tricky trip to face a full-strength Fort William, Grant prefers not to think about a home win which would mean the Lochaber outfit leapfrogs the Jags and leave them rooted to the foot of the table.
Grant said: “I know that Fort have been really playing well in recent weeks, as their North Cup win against Lossiemouth on Saturday showed, so I’m not relishing a trip to Claggan Park.
“I would like to think the players who did turn up against Nairn on Saturday, and I certainly don’t question their commitment, can get a result which keeps us off the bottom of the table, we’re certainly capable.”