Mac insists Glens share his vision
Glenafton boss scoffs at critics over desire claims
CRAIG McEwan has laughed at critics questioning whether his Glenafton players have the desire to play themselves back into the Super Premier Division title race.
The reigning champions currently occupy seventh place in the standings and rarely get a mention when talk turns to teams likely to finish top of the pile this season, however he firmly wants them in the mix.
“What’s even more important is that my players share this vision and are in the mood to make a lot of people eat their words,” insisted Southy last night as he took time out from preparing his New Cumnock charges for tomorrow’s league game away to Girvan.
“The guys are sick hearing themselves described as oneseason wonders and I firmly believe their anger can be channelled into getting us back into contention.
“There are other encourag- ing signs with Cammy Marlow declaring himself fit again following a three-month injury, meaning we have a full squad of 19 players to choose from for the first time this season ahead of facing Girvan, and I have every confidence in them coming good.”
Glenafton’s outstanding run in the Scottish Cup resulted in them playing fewer games than any other Super Premier Division side in the first half of the season but the prospect of playing catch-up is not fazing McEwan in the slightest.
He added: “We have three games in hand over every team above us in the table and turn- ing those games into points will make a huge difference to our league position.
“It’s a tough ask and I’m not going to pretend otherwise but I firmly believe the players are capable of going on a winning run so nobody should be writing us off as no-hopers.
“Girvan are nobody’s pusho- vers in their own backyard but the players have worked their socks off at training this past week and I sense a determination to get the right result down there.”
The only other top-flight fixture is a clash between teams at either end of the Super Premier spectrum, which has bottom markers Clydebank hosting the visit of league leaders Kilwinning Rangers.
The news Bankies gaffer Kieran McAnespie has strengthened his playing hand with the acquisition of ex-Kilmarnock and Linlithgow Rose winger Cammy McClair, as well as adding former Pollok and Motherwell hitman Stevie Higgins from Lesmahagow did not escape the notice of the Ayrshire club’s boss Chris Strain.
He admitted: “Both are good players and likely to be fired up to do well on their debuts, so it’s crucial that we defend well and don’t give them any encouragement.
“We showed a lot of character to play out a 1-1 draw in our last outing against Glenafton despite playing with 10 men for most of the game and I cannot help but think the guys will need to man up again at Holm Park. Kieran’s team are much better than their league position suggests.”