Confidence high in Swifts squad

Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion has great confidence in his full squad this season.

So much so that the Riverside boss would back his team to pick up three points no matter what 11 he decided to pitch in on a Saturday afternoon.

Swifts kept up a strong run of East of Scotland League Premier Division form at the weekend by defeating highflying Tranent 2-1 in Perth.

“Missing Paul Simpson and Connor McLaren from the squad due to suspension wasn’t ideal but the strength we have in the squad is excellent,”said Gunnion.

“There’s a real hunger and determination to do well for each other and that spreads though the team.

“I have no fears that any starting 11 I choose has the capability to win the game. That said, we’re always trying to improve and push forward.

“The win takes us another place higher in the league but there’s more work to be done.

“The potential in this squad is huge and if they keep pushing themselves to learn and improve the possibilities for them as a squad and individuals are endless.”

Chris McLeish fired Swifts ahead from the penalty spot but the visitors hit back after the break, before having Ian Black sent off.

The Perth men managed to clinch the three points courtesy of Fraser Smith’s sweet strike.

“I was delighted with another well deserved three points and it was a game where we deserved nothing less,”Gunnion added.

“We dominated from start to finish and were unlucky not to win by a more comfortable margin.

“We had three or four decent opportunities in the first half and managed to take one from the penalty spot with a composed finish from Chris McLeish.

“In contrast, Mark Mitchell didn’t have a save to make in the first 45 minutes. Second half we continued in the same positive manner and pressed to get a second goal. It was a blow to lose the equalising goal.

“But the response was outstanding and rather than let the goal take the wind out of us we pressed forward again and a fantastic strike by Fraser Smith put us back ahead.”