Games can't come quick enough for Edinburgh City goal-getter Innes Lawson
Earlier this month Innes Lawson celebrated a century of appearances for League Two Edinburgh City, netting his first professional career hat-trick in the same match.
Quite the weekend for the former Edinburgh University student.
It was goals galore as Michael McIndoe's men obliterated Stirling Albion 7-3 a fortnight ago, a standout performance both on a personal note and, collectively, as a team.
The Citizens are coming. Make no mistake about it. They have quickly went about their business so far this season, wiping out a five-point deduction – after last season’s SPFL rule breach – with minimal fuss.
City are sitting handsomely in sixth spot, four clear of bottom-of-the-table Stirling, and only eight points off the pace of league leaders Clyde. They are looking up - not over their shoulders.
Lawson has been a permanent fixture under McIndoe's stewardship, joining from Lowland League outfit Civil Service Strollers in June 2024.
However, he has been given a break this weekend as the Capital club make the long trip north to play Formartine United of the Highland League, on KDM Evolution Trophy duty, an opportunity he will grasp following a relentless start to the 2026/2027 campaign.
"Once you get a break, it is always welcome," Lawson, 23, told the Evening News. "It's been a really busy period with seven games in August, so it allows for a reset. Obviously you want to play as many games as you can. But it is nice to switch off from football every now and then. The gaffer talks about when you're in a football environment and playing as many games as we do, it can be really intense so it's nice to enjoy other things when they come along.
"These games in the KDM are always really enjoyable because it's a different challenge. In League Two it can be direct, physical, whereas in the KDM you come up against B teams who have loads of young, promising players, all very technically good on the ball, and they do cause you problems. Against Dundee United on Tuesday night, they were a good side, but we scored at the right time and probably should have been 3-0 up at half-time if I am being totally honest.
"But it's not just the bigger teams who have talented young players coming through, we've also got a really good academy who have given a really good account of themselves when they've played in these games. So, they'll have another chance I'm sure this weekend to show what they can do."
Undefeated City are well placed to challenge for one of the six seeded spots for the last 32 of the competition having amassed 10 points from their four games so far. After tomorrow's fixture North Lodge Park, City will complete the group stages at home to St Mirren B next month.
"Any competition you're in you want to go far," Lawson said. "We've had four really good performances and probably should be sitting on 12 points. It's been positive, I think we can go far, and it's also a really enjoyable format. So we're looking to progress and see how far we can go. It's exciting."
It's Scottish football's fourth tier, though, where City are really motoring along nicely. Lawson admits last season's 15-point deduction was difficult for the squad to contend with, particularly winning games but still finding themselves bottom of the pack. However, those ghosts have been exorcised with City now ready to come to the party.
"The main thing for us is confidence," the former Hibs academy player, who has netted eight goals in all competitions this season, explained. "I think some people forget there was a big turnover in the summer, so it's going to take time to gel and to get to where we want to be. But I think we've seen that in the last two league games, we've scored ten goals which is really positive and I think our league form has been excellent.
"7-3 did flatter Stirling the other week. We were outstanding. We shouldn't have conceded the goals we did, but to score seven in any game is impressive. It was also my first career hat-trick as well which I was delighted with. I think it was also my 100th appearance so it was a special game on a personal note. I had been waiting for a while, but hopefully I'll get a few more match balls this season.
"There’s been a couple of games where we've dropped points that we should have won. We can be pleased, we've climbed the table and we've got rid of those minus five points. It's now a level playing field so we can definitely look ahead at the teams above us. There's a really good team spirit in the dressing room with us adding some real quality in the summer.
"Going back to last season, you do look at the league table and anyone who says they don't is lying. When we were seeing we were constantly bottom despite winning games, it was difficult, psychologically. But this year we've got off the bottom nice and early so it all bodes well for the season ahead.
"The gaffer's way of playing suits me perfectly. He gives me so much freedom, so much confidence, and I think that's shown in my performances. We don't ever sit off teams, it's very high pressing and attack-minded. It's so enjoyable to play in as you find yourself getting loads of the ball, loads of chances, so it's up to me to put them away.
"I've developed massively as a player these last few years. When I was 17 it was hard not getting that professional contract with Hibs. When you get to that stage a lot of young players just kind of fall off, but that's something I never wanted to happen. I'm really hard working, ambitious, and I want to go and play at the highest level I can.
"When I do look back at my pathway so far, I had to go and play for the Uni, then onto Civil, and now with Edinburgh City. I think the gaffer has been crucial in my development, he's played me nearly every single game I've been available which helps. I think as a young player playing as much football as you can will only help you improve. Hopefully I continue on an upwards trajectory."