TERRACE TALK WITH SAM TENNENT

Two blank Saturdays now and the prospect of a January fixture pile looms ever larger for Rovers.

Hopefully by the time you read this, one of our outstanding fixtures will have been fulfilled with a trip to Stair Park, Stranraer scheduled for Tuesday evening.

The weather forecast looks to be favourable but it can’t be ideal for part-time players to travel such a distance on the Tuesday before Christmas having not kicked a ball in anger for over two weeks.

Fans alike face a journey down one of Scotland’s most dangerous roads when most will be under pressure to hit the shops and get prepared for the upcoming festivities.

It all points to a low turnout for the travelling faithful and I wonder if the football authorities need to re-think the scheduling of games around this time of year.

I’m generally in favour of summer football but with the prospect of that coming to pass being vanishingly small, perhaps the SPFL could consider a Saturday-only policy for games during December.

Talking of Saturday, Rovers next weekend fixture, weather permitting, will see the return of ex-manager Darren Young to Coatbridge as he brings his East Fife side to Cliftonhill.

Rovers fans will need no reminder of the outcome of the last encounter between the sides as Brian Kerr’s men shipped three goals in 10 minutes to hand The Fifers an unlikely victory.

Arguably, this was the result that started Rovers recent poor run and I’m sure we will be well motivated to ensure that there is no repeat of that collapse this time around.

A victory in this one might just be what is needed to get Rovers season back on track.

Call off Cold weather has hit Cliftonhill