Praise for hat-trick hero Paddy Cullen
Club delighted as hitman finds net
Cambuslang Rangers comanager Paddy Flannery praised his side’s hat-trick hero Paddy Cullen.
The former St Anthony’s player had struggled for goals since moving to Somervell Park in the summer, but after netting his first goal for the club a couple of weeks ago, he hit a fantastic treble against Port Glasgow on Saturday.
His goals delighted the management team of Flannery and John Doyle, as the forward has been working hard in training.
The co-manager said: “Paddy deserves a special mention - I wouldn’t normally single anyone out, as we win as a team, we draw as a team and we lose as a team, but Paddy deserves a special mention.
“He played alone up front in a 4-5-1, and was just outstanding.
“It wouldn’t have worked unless Paddy was on his game, and he took his goals extremely well.
“He worked his socks off, which is something you try to instill into everyone - and the harder you work, the luckier you get.
“We’ve been working very hard in training with Paddy, not just on shooting drills, and I’ve been talking to him and explaining it’s a team game, and we need him to be contributing. I’m a striker and I know what it’s like when you’re not scoring. You don’t feel like you’re playing your part.
“But he’s been contributing to the team, which is what we wanted, and now the goals are coming, we’re just delighted for him.
“In training, it’s not as if he’s not been working hard or anything like that, because we’ve seen his desire has always been there. Finally he’s getting the goals his play deserves.”
The co-manager was delighted to get the win against Port Glasgow, who are challengers for a promotion spot.
Paddy explained; “It was a great feeling, and there was a bit of relief after the last couple of defeats, so we were pleased to get back to winning ways, and to win so convincingly.
“We’ve tried several formations this season, trying to find something that suited us, with 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2, and they worked for us in some games, and not in others. We definitely got it right on Saturday.
“We played well throughout the team, as we looked solid in defence, and the three in the middle of the park - they were full of grit and determination and won everything. We had young Craig Grierson on the left and Troy McKerrill on the right, and they gave us great width.
“Myself and John spoke in depth before the game about how to address things going forward, and how to get the best out of the squad we have.
“We told the boys their roles and they stuck to it, and exectued our game plan perfectly.
“I think this is the most competitive this league has been in years, which makes it exciting for the fans - everyone is capable of beating everyone else.
“Newmains beat Rossvale, and East Kilbride beat us when they were near the bottom - you just prepare as best you can.”