Revealed: Why Linlithgow Rose ace Roddy MacLennan will miss opening months of new season

MacLennan (31), had his first spell at Rose from 2009 to 2016 and – after one year at local rivals Bo’ness United – returned in 2017.

He has established himself as a key man in midfield for rose in that time, although gaffer Brown Ferguson now won’t have him available for selection from the 2020-21 East of Scotland Premier Division’s provisional start date of October 10.

“Roddy wants to focus on his chemistry teacher job for the first few months of his new career,” gaffer Bomber told the Journal and Gazette.

“Obviously he needs to get used to the role so, as a result of that he doesn’t feel he’s in a position to play for us at the start of the season.

“He’s ruled himself out but there is a hope from both parties – myself and from him – that we can revisit a return in a couple of months time.

“We’re not even guaranteed to be playing in a month, there’s no confirmation of it.

“Roddy’s not been training but I have no concerns over his fitness. He is a very fit lad who looks after himself.

“Once he does return then I’m sure he’ll be quickly back up to speed.”

Ferguson said it would be a blow not to have MacLennan at the start of the new campaign, saying the player had genuine quality suited to playing at a higher level.

He added: “I value Roddy very much as a person and a footballer and I very much would like to have him around the group.

“From what I saw from him towards the tail end of last season – it was only a couple of games as he was returning from a knee injury – he’s got genuine qualities that I’ve not seen players at this level with.

“I was hoping he was going to be fit, ready and have a big impact on our season this year.

“But I respect he’s making decisions for the benefit of his future as well.

“It’s a disappointment but hopefully it’s not too long before he’s back and he has not missed too much football when that comes back around.”

MacLennan was able to play for Rose last season as he was doing probationary work as a teacher rather than in a permanent position.