David so proud of Goliath moment
Gartcairn boss hails shock troops after cup upset at Troon
MANY in his shoes would settle for resting on his Scottish Junior Cup laurels and looking to do no more than consolidating their club’s position.
But not Gartcairn Juniors manager David Greig, who last Saturday steered the lowly Central Second Division side into the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup quarter-finals on “A lot of people expected us ent type of test for the guys but the back of a shock 4-1 Portland to crumble when our Scottish they have shown themselves Park victory over Troon. Cup hammering by Linlithgow capable of raising their game
The Super Premier Division Rose was followed by a number when the occasion demands big guns had no answer as Glens of players opting to move on, but and I’m confident they can do nailed down a last-eight trip the exact opposites e has as occurredoccu ed so again. again.” through to Duncansfield to with three wins ns on the spin. The qu quarter-finals face Kilsyth Rangers. “Putting together gether this run now shapesh up as
“Even if we do nothing else says everything ng about the Darvel oro Kilwinning this season there’s a fairytale character insidede our dressRangersRanger v Auchinto tell,” said proud gaffer ing room as wellell as the qualleck Talbot,Ta CumGreggy who was unstinting in ity of players coming oming through nock v RobR Roy, Polpraise of his playing charges. the ranks from m Gartcairn’s lok v St Ro Roch’s, Kilsyth
RangerG “To a man they deser ve Youth Academy. my. Rangers v Gartcairn. every bit of credit going as I “We are awayway to Gartcairn are
Dunipace on thought they outfought and farfa and away
league duty y totally outplayed a team packed this week k with quality Juniors and let’s which is an ennnot forget from fully three divitirely differsions higher up the standings. the team punching above their ranking weight even if Greggy is not harbouring hopes of winning the tournament.
He said: “This will be my tenth appearance in a cup quarter-final spanning managerial stints with St Roch’s, Blantyre Vics and Gartcairn – and I’ve never come out as a winner yet.
“I’d like to believe the dice might spin in my favour this time but reality tells me Kilsyth Rangers are top of the Super First Division for a reason.”
“And remember it’s not just a matter of getting past this hurdle because whoever comes out on top will be away against Pollok or St Roch’s in the semi-finals.”
The challenge, as Greig, Andy Cameron and five other managerial counterparts in the latter stages are well aware, is to prevent the Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot showpiece finale ever since the draw kept the two rivals in opposite halves.
Pollok have home advantage against St Roch’s and if successful the winners of Kilsyth v Gartcairn prior to Newlandsfield staging the final.
Holders Auchinleck, seeking a third New Coin Holdings trophy triumph in four years, have very formidable opposition to overcome in the shape of Kilwinning Rangers and either Cumnock or Rob Roy.