Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Rovers’ new boss takes up the reins
Albion Rovers manager Kevin Harper watched his new side lose 2- 0 at Berwick on his dugout debut, but says they could have taken the points had they capitalised on a positive start at Shielfield.
The Cliftonhill side saw a series of early attempts saved in the opening half- hour, only to fall behind to Daryl Healy’s shot; while Paul Willis doubled the hosts’ lead with a second-half penalty.
It leaves Rovers seven points adrift at the foot of League Two following a run of five straight league defeats.
New manager Harper, who was taking charge of the team for the first time, told the Advertiser: “We dominated the first 35 minutes and I think if we’d scored then, we’d have gone on to win.
“We have to score when we’re on top, and I was disappointed with the goal we conceded; the second half was really scrappy with nothing much happening until they scored the penalty.
“The Rovers fans were fantastic to travel down in numbers – I’m really grateful for the support and we’re disappointed that we didn’t give them something to return home happy about.
“We have to believe we can
get out of the situation we’re in – I certainly believe it, and the staff and players believe it. The hard work and effort are there to see.”
He said of his new role in the dugout: “It’s been really exciting; the players have bought into what Joe [McLaughlin] and I are trying to instil in them and their application has been fantastic.
“It’s good working with them on the training ground and seeing what you want put into practice on the pitch.”
Rovers now have a blank weekend before hosting Cowdenbeath on December 1, and Harper added: “It means we have more time to prepare and get the players to understand the way we want to do things.
“It will be an intense two-week period, working hard on lots of ideas to think about and to put into the game plan.”