McGuigan targeting Peterhead
Mark McGuigan battled back from a broken rib to deliver a fatal blow to Queen’s Park’s survival hopes.
Now the Stenny star has his sights on breaking Peterhead hearts in this week’s play-off final.
After a month on the sidelines, the Hairmyres ace made a vital contribution in Saturday’s 2-1 semi-final second leg at Hampden.
His double, either side of Gerry McLauchlan’s equaliser for the Spiders, sent the Warriors through 3-2 on aggregate and relegated Gus MacPherson’s side.
Stenny host the Blue Toon at Ochilview tonight before the return leg at Balmoor on Saturday. They have won three of their four meetings in League Two already this season and McGuigan determined to add to his career-best tally of 23 goals to take Stenny up.
The striker, who netted an 81st minute winner, said: “I’m delighted to get back in the team after being out for a few weeks with a broken rib. To get myself back fit for these games was my target when it
happened. So to chip in with a couple of goals and get the win... it’s absolutely massive for us.
“The first goal the ball comes off a combination of my shoulder and my face. It wasn’t very clean, but I’ll take 30 of them.
“I think the manager knew I felt a bit leggy, but he said just empty your tank for us so it was a massive relief to see the second goal go in.
“We made it hard for ourselves to get into the play-offs, it could have been wrapped up a few weeks ago.
“But we’ve worked too hard to stop here.
“If we can keep up the form we’ve had against Peterhead this season I think we should be okay.
“Hopefully, I can score a few more goals this week to get the promotion.”
McGuigan isn’t the only East Kilbride resident in the Stenny squad, with fellow striker Jamie Longworth, from Newlandsmuir, also involved in their promotion push.
And in the Championship play-off final, EK’s Neil Parry will be hoping to help Alloa overcome Dumbarton to secure their promotion from League One.