Lang way to go but Paul thinks his side can lay a marker at Ford
HOW Cambuslang Rangers fare against table-topping Hurlford United on Saturday will provide the best gauge as to whether the Premiership new boys have the makings of genuine title challengers.
So says boss Paul McColl following the Somervell Park outfit’s sensational start to the season which has seen three wins from their first six fixtures in the top flight – as many as the other five promoted clubs put together.
But their Ayrshire opponents have racked up six straight wins in an even more impressive opening burst and they currently lead the way by five points from secondplaced Clydebank and are eight points to the good over fourth Lang.
McColl reckons Hurlford are a top Junior outfit and will take some shifting from their pole position but he has every faith in his players coming up trumps.
He recalled: “Darren Henderson’s team came to our place and beat us 4-3 in a West of Scotland Cup quarter-final tie towards the end of last season that was a cracking advert for the Juniors.
“We ran them close then despite being out on our feet because of a horribly congested fixture schedule and if my players hadn’t run out of steam then who knows what might have happened.
”Hurlford were undoubtedly one of the form horses as the season came to a close and appear to have picked up where they left off judging by their early results however I’ve nothing but praise for my players who have exceeded expectations up to now.
“And were it not for a brutal fixtures compilation then we might have a few more points on the board.”
He said: “This week’s trip to Blair Park will be our fifth away game in seven and I cannot help but notice that Darren’s men will be playing at home for a fifth time.
“From a club finances perspective if nothing else, it is ludicrously loaded against us and I cannot fathom why all the Premiership teams are not scheduled to play away on alternative weeks until cup ties come into play?”
McColl is out to strengthen his squad and is thought to be on the verge of signing one time Airdrie stopper Grant Drummond as well as ex-Rangers and Partick Thistle defender Jordan McMillan.