Shettleston’s survivor bullish about cup run
ROSS DICKSON believes his status as the longest serving player on Shettleston’s books is a sign of the times at the famous old Junior club.
The 26-year-old, one of just five survivors along with Rikky McIntosh, Bob Campbell, Ryan Scott and Jordan Dalziel from last season’s relegated Town squad, has established himself as one of the mainstays under the new management regime of ex-Senior duo Peter Weatherson and Ryan McStay.
The combative central defender, nicknamed The Bull, is happy to be holding down a regular place as he has high hopes of the Greenfield Park side making an impression in this season’s Scottish Junior Cup campaign which kicks off for his team when Montrose Roselea come down to the East End of Glasgow for a second-round tie on Saturday.
“The gaffers wasted no time in making a number of dressing-room changes and I was left as our longest serving player even though it’s only six years since I stepped up from a top Knightswood Juveniles team.
“During that time I’ve seen a lot of comings and goings of players but nothing quite as ruthless as the near clear out during the close season that saw friends like Chrissy McCormick shipped out to pastures new.
“Peter and Ryan had a definite plan in mind and have brought in a really good standard of player and we’re not far away from having a whole new squad at the club.
“But even more of an eye-opener has been their approach to the Junior game which has been built upon a level of professionalism that I’ve never experienced before. They demand high standards and expect players to work our their socks off at training and then look for us to carry that same ethic into our competitive games on a Saturday.
“Results up to now show their methods are clearly working and I have to say everyone is upbeat about our chances of making a real splash this season.
“I thought my first winners’ medal win in the Juniors was coming when we faced Rob Roy in the Exsel Cup final only to disappointingly lose out on penalty kicks but hopefully that doesn’t prove to be my only shot at glory.”
Shettleston share the distinction with St Anthony’s of being the only Glasgow based clubs never to have won the Scottish Junior Cup and the rugged stopper is fired up at the prospect of making history.
“Beith won the Junior Cup last season for the first time and there’s no reason why we cannot do the same given a little bit of luck in the draw that every team need,” he said.
“It was great to see a bit of character last weekend when coming from behind to beat Hurlford United 3-2 in the West of Scotland Cup.
“I was part of the Shettleston side that lost to Auchinleck Talbot in the quarter-finals two seasons ago and I feel the current team is playing to a better standard so a good cup run is certainly not beyond us.
“First up is Montrose and we will not be underestimating them.
“If we do the business and get past this first hurdle then I believe it will take a very good team to stop us.”