Ruggy juggles cup and league as Shotts take on the Gow
SHOTTS Bon Accord manager John McKeown is harbouring mixed feelings going into tonight’s Hannah Park clash against Lesmahagow in the Sectional League Cup last 16.
On the one hand he is desperate for his side to set up an intriguing meeting with East Kilbride Thistle or Cambuslang Rangers (whom he coached last season) in the quarter finals.
But on the other, the former Cumnock and Wishaw boss is concerned their progression in the West Region’s revamped cup contest could seriously impact on their League One promotion aspirations.
He insisted: “We are missing a few bodies for facing the Gow, with Dean Sutherland, Jordan Love, Gerry Watt and Ally Martin definite non-starters while another couple of the guys are carrying slight niggles.
“Playing them increases our chances of getting through but we run the risk of aggravating injuries and losing them for Saturday’s match down at Ardrossan Winton Rovers who remain unbeaten in their league games and sit one point above us in the table.
“And it only makes for a bigger headache if we can get past the Gow because the cup quarter finals are taking place on Monday night, just 48 hours before we play our next league game against Yoker Athletic.”
Ruggy added: “All these ifs and buts will be wiped from our slate if we cannot best Lesmahagow and that is no formality seeing as their manager Robert Irving has gone out and recruited a number of good players during the summer.”
Ruggy was in buoyant mood following last weekend‘s 6-0 hammering of Lugar Boswell that reaffirmed Shotts’ status as one of the strong title favourites after picking up just a solitary point from their initial encounters.
He insisted: “We deserved better from both our opening games so it was a relief to see everything click against Lugar and I hope that’s us into our stride.”
Elsewhere tonight, Clydebank may unveil new midfielder Jack McClair (nephew of Manchester United and Celtic ace Brian) when hosting the visit of Rossvale and Renfrew will look to bounce back from Saturday’s 4-0 reverse at the hands of Kilbirnie Ladeside when taking on Johnstone Burgh at New Western Park.
The Blasties are on the road again, making the short hop to take on strong going rivals Kilwinning Rangers.