Daniel Sloss hails ‘appreciative and respectful’ Newtonmore after shock move to Eilan
The Sloss brothers have said that they feel respected after joining Newtonmore and the 100-miles travel will be no problem.
The shock signings of Daniel Sloss and younger brother Matthew from Oban Camanachd is undoubtedly the biggest current talking point in shinty.
It is a major boost for ‘More and their new manager Peter Ross as the brothers are widely regarded as two of the game’s top talents.
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Huge coup for Newtonmore as the Sloss brothers sign up
The pair have not played since a fall-out following Oban Camanachd’s Mowi Premiership match at Glenurquhart in early August, just a week before last season’s Artemis Macaulay Cup final defeat to Kingussie.
Daniel Sloss is a full Scotland international, acknowledged as one of the top defenders and man-markers in the game.
His younger brother Matthew played for the South under-21 side last season and has represented Scotland at under-17 level.
He is one of shinty’s most promising forwards.
Matthew was in the Scotland under-17 side last season alongside new teammates Kyle Clark, Joe Coyle and Tristan Ross who captained the squad.
Daniel Sloss is already impressed with the set-up at the Eilan. He said: “Newtonmore have been a breath of fresh air.
“They have been very welcoming, appreciative and they treat you with respect.
“I know and get on well with a lot of their boys and with Peter Ross too. Peter was the one of the main reasons we decided to move.
“What you get is what you see with Peter, and we first met when our cousin Stuart Sloss moved up to Strathspey as a gamekeeper.
“Peter was managing Strathspey Camanachd at the time, and he took Stuart under his wing.
“He looked out for him and made him feel part of the community and that’s the type of guy he is.”
Daniel Sloss feels the Blue and Whites can take him to the next level: “Newtonmore will bring my game on, I’m sure of that.
“I want to continue to develop as a player and I feel I can do that under Peter Ross. He puts time and effort into nourishing his players, especially the young boys.
“There is such a strong spine to the team with the likes of Rory Kennedy, Steven Macdonald, Drew MacDonald and Iain Robinson up top.
“I’m particularly looking forward to playing with Rory in defence. It’s always good to play with good players.”
Daniel is also mindful that his younger brother also has much to gain: “It’s also a fantastic opportunity for Matthew,” he said.
“He’s still eligible to play under-17 shinty which means he is eligible to play for the first team, second team due to his age and under-17s.
“Matthew has never really played in the cups at second team level so that could be a new experience for him.
“As well as Peter Ross, he has the chance to learn from Norman Campbell and Glen Mackintosh so what a chance that is.”
Daniel Sloss dismisses the notion that the almost 100-mile journey to the Eilan will be an issue: “We’ll travel to Newtonmore once a week to train and, with the help of a fitness trainer, we’ll train in Oban for the rest of the time.
“The travel won’t be an issue. I used to travel to play football for Dumbarton three times a week, so this is nothing and as for game-days, your Saturdays are written off anyway no matter who you play for.
“Newtonmore aren’t far away from major honours again. I’ll be playing with Camanachd Cup winners who have a winning mentality and have a team full of winners.
“I’m particularly looking forward to play in the Kingussie games and the chance to experience what is the biggest rivalry in shinty.
“If you can’t get up for that, there’s something wrong.”