Russ: Our goal is to be hard to catch

RUSSELL McLEAN may be only 19 but already he’s no stranger to the highs and lows of Scottish football.

The Peterhead striker was one of the stars in the East Kilbride side who won the Lowland League last season.

But then Kilby lost to Cowdenbeath on penalties in the League Two play-off after beating Highland League Buckie Thistle.

Now McLean is eyeing back-to-back championships with Jim McInally’s rampant Blue Toon.

Peterhead’s run has taken them to just one point adrift of leaders Montrose with two games in hand.

And ahead of today’s visit by Stirling Albion McLean said: “That was one of my first thoughts when I signed, winning the league.

“I know we are still only at the halfway stage but the whole team is doing well. We have scored 20 goals in our last four games and if we keep that up we’ll be hard to beat.

“Stirling are a good team and they will come to our place with a bit of confidence – but we’re confident as well.”

Stirling returned to winning ways with last week’s win against Berwick and manager Dave Mackay said: “Peterhead are absolutely flying. The amount of goals they are scoring is incredible.

“We beat them earlier in the season although they were not playing as well as they are now. But we have to take confidence from that.

“If we play as well as we can I still believe we can beat any team in this league.”