Cup run that’s given Macca hope of silver lining for Lok
No.1 FOR JUNIORS
THERE is a school of thought out there that reckons being in charge of Pollok is a cushy number. The well-to-do Southside club have acquired a reputation for attracting the best players going the Junior rounds down through the years and it’s believed all the team manager has to do is instil some organisation, flavour with a bit of motivation and off they go.
I can just hear Tony McInally murmuring: “Oh would that it were only so simple” and one can fully understand the implication because there is no denying that unfairly raised expectations go hand in hand with the obvious perks of Newlandsfield and the backing of one of the largest supports in the game.
And didn’t Macca “make the mistake” last season of providing Lok fans with fresh hope of regaining their position atop the Junior pile by steering Paul Gallagher & Co to the Glasgow club’s first Scottish Junior Cup Final appearance in 19 years... only to lose out on a penalty kick shoot-out against Beith?
A consolation prize in the guise of the Central League Cup silverware to go along with their Scottish Cup runners-up place appeared a decent return for a Pollok side that also finished fifth in the Super Premier Division standings on their return to the top flight after winning promotion.
And it is except that the many terracing wearers of black and white scarves anticipated Macca and his players to kick on this season and mount an even stronger challenge for the game’s top prizes so the whingers were out in force when this didn’t materialise and there was harsh criticism directed at the Lok boss and individual players.
Riding out this particular storm has been anything but plain sailing, however a source of considerable comfort (for both doubters and doubted) has come from a stirring run in the West Region’s second biggest competition – the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup – which has seen Pollok beat earlier round opponents Dalry Thistle, Irvine Meadow, Neilston and St Roch’s en-route to a Newlandsfield semi-final clash today with Super First Division high fliers Kilsyth Rangers.
ASILVERWARE laden finale to the season could be in prospect if Pollok come out on top and Macca, who has signed former Kilbirnie Ladeside and Blantyre Vics midfielder Darren McLean, reported himself happy with how his playing squad are shaping up.
He said: “Ryan McStay is definitely ruled out of our plans because he was cup tied as a Shettleston player and it’s unfortunate as he served up a very dominant midfield display in our midweek win at Port Glasgow.
“Our only other non-starter is Liam Rowan and I’m glad to say there is more promising news to relate on his situation as doctors have given him the all-clear to resume training again and the plan is to gently nurse the lad along and work on his physical fitness in preparation for when he wants to return to competitive action.
McInally reported himself delighted with the midweek form shown by Lok Gary McCann whose display in the 5-0 defeat of Port Glasgow, he described as “Gary’s best performance in a Pollok jersey since coming to the club.”
McINALLY added: “It’s taken him time to find his feet which is only to be expected at this club where players find it difficult to adjust to playing for a team that everyone wants to beat.
“It would be nice if everyone was like Davie Winters who netted four goals on his Pollok debut but more often than not we don’t get the best out of new signings until they have that first season under their belts.”
Kilsyth’s one-time Petershill frontman Scott Davidson sits out the last-four contest after being red-carded in the Girvan game and Duncansfield gaffer Keith Hogg is also fretting over the fitness of winger Kelly who has been attending Hampden Park Sports Clinic to try and heal a hamstring strain injury.
Last night Hoggy revealed: “Having to go without key players on account of playing games thick and fast has been our downfall of late in terms of dropping league points, however our battling qualities have helped limit the damage.
“Promotion remains our No.1 aim and we have three cup finals after tomorrow against Petershill, Blantyre Vics and Irvine Vics but I wouldn’t mind having four to play if we can just beat this very good Pollok side.
“We are underdogs so there is absolutely no pressure on my players and I just hope we can relax and play as we can on the day because on our game we have no reason to fear going toe to toe with any Junior team.”