Buckie 1-2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Warren ready for big-time

LATE developer Gary Warren has already tasted the Wembley spotlight – but insists he is only just kicking off his career in Scotland. The 27 year-old defender captained Newport County to a live televised FA Trophy final in May.

Scorers: Buckie - Robertson, 85; Inverness Caledonian Thistle - Sutherland, 26 Laing, 80

But having focused on training to be a teacher throughout his younger playing days, Caley Thistle will be Warren’s first full-time club.

From the thrill of Wembley to a packed Celtic Park, the powerful centre half believes he can make a real name for himself in the SPL. After taking his first bow in Saturday’s 2-1, Warren said: “A couple of weeks after the FA Trophy final I got a call asking if I’d be interested in a move up to Inverness. It was a complete bolt from the blue. I’d been expecting to move to a League One or League Two club in England. But when you get a chance like that, you just can’t turn it down.

“To be able to play in the top league in any country is an outstanding opportunity and it’s up to me now to try and make my mark.”

Although Newport County lost the FA Trophy final 2-0 to York City, it proved an unforgettable occasion before almost 20,000 fans.

Warren said: “It was a dream day. This season, to be able to play at Celtic Park, hopefully, will be another great day for me.”

Alongside Warren at Buckie, Butcher blooded fellow summer signing David Raven (ex-Tranmere) at right back.

Spanish goalkeeper Antonio Reguero, who played for Real Madrid in his youth, was introduced in the second half alongside ex-Crewe striker Jason Oswell and Ross Draper, signed from Macclesfield. After 26 minutes, Irish winger Aaron Doran un-picked the Buckie defence with a clever pass and Shane Sutherland struck the opener. Martin Laing, handed a senior deal this summer, struck the second ten minutes from time before Buckie’s Neil Robertson squeezed in a late consolation.