EK ACE IN ROVERS’ HALL OF FAME
Westwood footballer Ciaran Donnelly will be inducted into Albion Rovers Hall of Fame this year.
The former defender, now retired,will go into the 2020 class alongside cult hero Vic Kasule, and he was delighted to be picked by the supporters.
The 33-year-old said:“I got a phone call saying I was inducted from Ronnie [Boyd, the chairman] and had been voted in by the fans.
“It’s always nice a touch when it’s from the fans and I appreciate it; it’s not every day you get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Because it is the fans it makes it a big thing.
“It’s a wide spectrum of people who they can vote for, but it’s good to know the fans think highly of you.”
With the current coronavirus outbreak causing uncertainty across the football world, it’s not yet known when he will formally be inducted.
Donnelly added:“It’s unprecedented and I just hope everything can go back to normal and football can restart.”
Donnelly’s most famous moment in a Rovers jersey came in 2014 when he opened the scoring at Ibrox against Rangers in a Scottish Cup tie.
Rangers controversially equalised to make it 1-1 as the ball – and goalkeeper Neil Parry – were bundled over the line to deny the Coatbridge side a Scottish Cup semi-final place.
And, six years on, Donnelly claims referee John Beaton admitted he “made an a**e”of the infamous Bilel Mohsni goal for Rangers.
Donnelly said:“I still think we were robbed a wee bit; I’ll probably always think about that until the day that I die.
“It was a cracking success for the club financially, and getting to the quarter-final of the Scottish [Cup]. Against Rangers I don’t think anyone gave us a chance, but because of the turmoil Rangers were going through at the time it was a good time to get them.
“I don’t want to be too critical, but it was poor refereeing decision. John Beaton after it said he made an a**e of it – it was disappointing.
“For the fans, the players, the staff; it would have created an occasion to get into the semi-final.“
During his decade of service at Cliftonhill, Donnelly experienced the highs and lows of the lowers leagues as part of Paul Martin’s‘Crazy Gang’. In 2011, he was a key figure as Rovers’ earned promotion with a play-off victory over Annan.
Rovers then came back from two goals down to beat Stranraer on penalties and avoid the drop. However, the following year they were sent to the bottom tier by Annan, as they finished in ninth spot once again.