Rabs boss Maxi reflects on lows of losing some of his key players
ROB ROY have come a long way under Stewart Maxwell’s tutelage but the best that could probably be said about the Kirkintilloch outfit at this moment in time is that progress has slowed.
After steering the Rabs to promotion in 2015, Maxi has overseen top-flight finishes of eighth, second and last season’s sixth so it’s no real surprise if frustration has surfaced in this campaign with Rob Roy currently occupying 12th place in the Premiership standings and facing the prospect of being sucked into a relegation dogfight.
And yet, outsiders would be forgiven for thinking he and his players have strung together a decent run given only two defeats in their last 10 league matches.
“Not being able to play our best team has seen us lack any real consistency and drawing five games has been a bit of an Achilles heel,” said Maxi ahead of the visit of Largs Thistle today.
“Having our last two games postponed has been a blessing in disguise as a raft of injuries had left us struggling to cobble together a team.
“And our woes are far from over because John Sweeney, Mikey Morris, Danny O’Halloran, Willie Sawyers and our club captain Scott Walker are all extremely doubtful for facing Largs while on-loan Stirling Albion winger Darren Young is a definite non-starter with damaged knee ligaments.
“It’s hard not to believe somebody up there has it in for you because it’s been one thing after another for as long as I can remember.
“Take last weekend for example when the players went out for a Christmas celebrations and our former Scotland Juniors goalkeeper JC Hutchison never put in an appearance.
“I never thought anything of it until he blanked my phone calls and texts before eventually getting back to me on Wednesday night o say he has been struggling to juggle family commitments with his football and has now decided to walk away from the game.
“To say I’m disappointed with the way he has handled things is putting it mildly especially with JC being such an experienced keeper but thankfully we have been able to fix up the ex-Queen’s Park and Forfar keeper Willie Muir and he has really looked the part in training sessions.
“But knowing how the breaks have gone against us, I wouldn’t be in the slightest bit surprised if a Senior club comes calling for him during the January window.”
Turning his attention to his side’s opponents today had Maxi conceding: “Largs have been the surprise package among the promoted teams this season and to be fourth is a great achievement.
“We drew 1-1 down at Barrfields earlier this season however it was another of those games where we were 1-0 ahead and looking good only for their former Celtic and Livingston midfielder Mark Millar to score an absolute worldly from 30 yards.
“He’s played at a decent level and is the person who makes Largs tick when on the ball so we will need to try and get tight to curb him.”
The Seasiders head for Guys Meadow after being idle themselves last Saturday when their scheduled meeting with Pollok was called off, much to manager Stuart Davidson’s frustration.
He insisted: “After overcoming Cumnock 7-1 the previous week, our dressing room was on a high so it was a bit deflating not to get out and play again.
“Hopefully the guys can still pick up from where they left off. We have to make at least one enforced personnel change with a niggling hamstring strain looking set to rule out Paul Harkins.
“On the upside we have John Carter fit again, who was injured in the 1-1 draw with Rob Roy, and he is someone I’m keen to get back into the team because his willingness to chase every ball makes him an absolute pest to defences.
“Getting game time for our leading goalscorer Kevin Struthers is another must as it’s vital we have him in the best possible shape for the Macron Scottish Junior Cup clash with St Roch’s.”
The Candy Rock knocked out Luncarty in the last round and Arnie revealed he will be contacting the Perthshire club for a run down on his side’s opponents.
He said: “A number of years ago I was on holiday and struck up a friendship with a then Carnoustie Panmure player John Kelly who was a Scottish Cup winner the following year with a penalty kicks win over Tayport.
“I was at the game and he reciprocated a couple of years later when my Auchinleck Talbot team beat Bathgate Thistle and we have remained good friends ever since.
“John is nowadays the Luncarty boss and as soon as the draw was made he was on the phone to say he would fill me in with all the info he acquired about the St Roch’s playing strengths and weaknesses.
“I’ll certainly take him up on his offer because you cannot leave any stones unturned with a quarterfinal place at stake.”
In other games today, rank bottom Renfrew will not find points easy to come by away to Troon while an equally difficult 90 minutes awaits second-bottom Kilbirnie Ladeside in hosting strong going Clydebank who will be determined to avoid any slipups that might allow Glenafton (if Criag McEwan’s men beat Cambuslang Rangers) to leapfrog over them into second top spot.