Two titans of shinty clash this Saturday in the Mowi Game of the Week as  Macaulay Cup holders, Oban Camanachd welcome 2023 Mowi Premiership runners-up Kyles Athletic. We sat down with Oban Camanachd Captain Malcolm Clark to preview the clash…

Malcolm, a huge game this weekend as two titans collide in the Mowi Premiership. How has preparation gone for this game?

Preparations have gone ok, this was our last week training indoor and on the astroturf, so looking forward to getting back on grass in the coming weeks.

Camanachd have had a bad time with player absences recently, are we going to be any closer to a full selection ahead of Saturday?

No, not really. We’ve struggled with big player’s being missing over the first few games, that being said we’re still not happy with the level we’ve played this year so far and the player’s we’ve had on the pitch are capable of playing at a higher level. So we’ll be looking to perform to a better standard for the full 90 this week.

You and Kyles are separated by just 1 point going into this fixture, obviously there have only been 3 games – but how important could this game be in deciding who finishes higher in the Premiership this season?

It’s still very early in the season, and we’re not looking at the league table but instead focussing on Saturday as an opportunity to get some real momentum going for the season ahead. Kyle’s are a strong team, so we’ll have to be at our best.

On a more personal note, It was 11 goals for you in the Mowi Premiership last season, at your current rate you are on for 12 this time round – is that the goal, go better than last campaign?

 I think it’s always the goal to play better than you did the previous year. I think everyone needs to have personal targets at the start of the season. I’ve had some good chances across the last two games and not scored, so like I said before this Saturday is all about us building momentum and finding some form – individually and collectively.

Finally,  just how does it feel to captain Oban Camanachd this year?

I think it feels a bigger deal when you find out. But that being said it is nice to have been given the captaincy after a long time in the team.