Clelland: All we want is survival
Scott Clelland insists Kello’s biggest Scottish Junior Cup tie in 45 years is only a bonus – beating the drop is more important.
Rovers try again to play their eagerly awaited quarter- final away to Beith on Saturday after all last weekend’s ties were washed out.
Boss Clelland claims his rank outsiders, who stunned Irvine Meadow with nine men in the last round, can pull off another giantkilling act against the 2016 winners.
He admitted: “We are definitely underdogs but as long as we don’t freeze and play the game, not the occasion, then I think we will be all right.
“I thought Meadow might force a replay when we went down to nine men but we deserved a wee bit of luck.
“I just wish we could carry that form into the league.
“The cup is a bonus, we want to keep ourselves in League One but we’re not out of the woods yet.
“The cup run has brought a lot of sponsors on board – I just hope they stick with us next season.”
Kello still have points to find if they are to escape the drop into the bottom tier. But their cup run has galvanised the whole club with a big support set to follow the team to Bellsdale.
Former Darvel and Girvan boss Clelland has doubled training sessions since taking the helm and added some new faces to strengthen the squad.
He claimed: “We are now looking a lot fitter but that is down to the players.”
Holders AUCHINLECK entertain HURLFORD in a repeat of the 2017- 18 final. Darren Henderson’s men, who are the only team to have taken a point at Beechwood Park this season, are out to avenge that 3- 2 defeat when they lost two goals in stoppage time.
DARVE L , w h o l e a d t h e Championship, have been handed a boost ahead of the visit of Broughty with star striker Darren Miller extendeding his contract through to the end of next season.
GLENAFTON, who have signed Ayr United youngster Gabe Skeoch on loan, are on Premiership duty at home to Benburb.
Then on Sunday, former goalkeeper Brian McGarrity is rewarded with a benefit concert, featuring Buller Reid, starting in the Campbell Hall at 1pm.
TROON, who are deep in drop trouble, entertain leaders KILWINNING while CUMNOCK host Rob Roy.
WHITLETTS welcome Blantyre to Dam Park in the Championship without teenage Largs loan signing Ross George who broke a toe in his first training session.
CRAIGMARK, who are struggling in second bottom spot, need a win at home to Dalry.
MUIRKIRK can go top of League Two with a home win over leaders Vale of Leven.
Goals from Dillon McLauchlan and Nick Aitchison beat Vale of Clyde 2- 0 at Cumnock to lift them into second place.
LUGAR, who were crushed 8- 0 by Johnstone Burgh under Renfrew’s lights last Friday, head to Ardeer while ANNBANK visit Ashfield.
MAYBOLE, bidding for a remarkable eight wins in a row, try again to face Championship strugglers Cambuslang in a West Cup tie that has been switched to East Kilbride’s K- Park on Friday night ( kick- off 8pm).