Furious Harper warns of squad overhaul

ALBION ROVERS....................................1 HEARTS COLTS.......................................4 MARK PIRIE Manager Kevin Harper slaughtered his Albion Rovers flops after the dismal Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup exit to Hearts Colts.

An Aidan Keena double alongside goals from Euan Henderson and Alex Petkov humbled the Cliftonhill side, who secured a consolation goal from Smart Osadolor.

Jambos’34-year-old keeper Colin Doyle saved Jack Gordon’s penalty which would have brought the game level.

Stand-in Rovers’goalkeeper Ryan Goodfellow also saved Keena’s spot kick to stop the striker netting a hat-trick on a rain-soaked night in Coatbridge.

Gaffer Harper slammed his side for their display after handing starts to some reserve players.

He admitted he would now look to bring in more recruits – and cut some of the current crop.

The raging boss told the Advertiser: “The players have a chance to impress me and show they should be in my first team and they didn’t come close to the standard I was looking for.

“There was really poor performances from the experienced boys. Some of the boys only want to play when they are being picked for the first team, which shows me that I can’t rely on them.

“If they come chapping on my door again and ask why they aren’t playing I’ll refer back to this game.

“The players know who they are, I don’t have to name them.

“They won’t be anywhere near my team if I don’t see a dramatic improvement. Just now they are as close to Antarctica as they are to my first team.”

He went on:“We’re always looking for players and I’m confident we will add more before the end of the window. We have a big squad already but this shows that we are in imminent need of players.

“I can take positives from the game. I now have a sense knowing who I can rely on when we are going through a dodgy spell.

“Andy Kirk’s team played well and had that bit of quality, but they didn’t have to try hard because we didn’t turn up.“Whether it’s the Challenge Cup against Hearts under-21 side or anyone, the players had an opportunity to show me they should be in my team. I can handle getting beat, but I can’t put up with that performance at the end of the day.

“Will Graham got pass marks from me because it was his first game in six months, but to me it looked like some players spat the dummy out because they weren’t picked in the league.

“That’s their choice but they won’t be playing in my team if they play like that.”