Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Cairn are in place to reap fringe benefits
Club’s dividends as cup progression is secured
Jamie McKenzie says his fringe players have given him “a real headache” after impressing in Saturday’s cup victory over Greenock.
The Gartcairn boss made seven changes to his starting line-up for the 2-1 West of Scotland first round tie.
But his unbeaten league leaders’ impressive form continued when his side came from behind to secure a clash at Craigmark Burntonians.
Two goals in the final 20 minutes turned the game around for the battling Airdrie outfit, with Billy Scobbie dramatically tapping in the winner from six yards in the 85th minute.
Gaffer McKenzie told the Advertiser: “It was a good victory in the end, especially with us making seven changes to the team.
“The first half wasn’t too great but we improved a lot after the interval and deserved to go through.
“It was very windy, so conditions weren’t ideal, but I thought we coped with it much better in the second half.
“The players who came into the side all did extremely well and they have given me a real headache in terms of team selection for the upcoming league games.
“Because we’ve been going so well in the league, it’s been hard to change a winning side; but plenty of players have now thrown their hats into the ring for a starting place.”
A trip to Craigmark Burntonians now awaits Gartcairn in the competition’s second round and McKenzie is hoping his side can go on a cup run.
He said: “Playing Craigmark away will be a difficult tie but, as ever, we will go there trying to win.
“I have already made it clear that the league is our priority this year but I would love us to go on a good run in the cup too.
“We are carrying a big squad, so the cup presents an opportunity for some of the players who aren’t featuring regularly to stake their claims.
“If we can achieve success in the league and cup then it would make this a real season to remember for everyone associated with the club.”
Gartcairn are back in league action this Saturday with a home game against Maryhill as they try to preserve their unbeaten run.
McKenzie added: “We had Maryhill watched last week and although they lost, they will pose a big threat to us this weekend. I saw them in action earlier in the season and they are a decent side.
“As the games go by, we are finding teams are turning up trying to sit in and make it difficult for us; it’s up to us to take the game to Maryhill and continue our impressive form.”
Saturday’s game with Maryhill has an earlier kick-off time of 1.45pm.