Winning title with 10 seconds left was incredible

It has been a season to remember, that’s for sure.

But Cambuslang manager Paul McColl knows he couldn’t have won the league without his trusted backroom staff, the players and also the fans who witnessed some magical scenes.

The 2016/17 campaign had everything – a record number of goals scored, an unbeaten run that shot The Lang right to the summit of the Central District First Division, and a league trophy to cap off a marvellous season.

And when former Cathkin High pupil McColl took the time to review his best season as both a player and manager, two themes cropped up when he ran through his most memorable games. Goals, late drama and more goals.

He said: “It has been a brilliant season. I have played Junior football and been at lots of teams but never won anything apart from promotions.

So to win the league with your hometown club is a great feeling. The last day of the season has to be top of the list of most memorable games [v Neilston]. To win the game with 10 seconds left on the clock was incredible.

“The Rossvale match when we won 4-0 was another great game. That’s probably when I knew we would go and win the league.

“When we played at Benburb and won 9-1, that was some day. It was the best I had ever seen them play.

“The all round magnitude of the game was probably not as important because it was quite early in the season but they blew us all away with how they played.”

Larkhall Thistle and St Roch’s pushed The Lang all the way to the end with the title eventually decided on goal difference.

The Wee Gers, who finished top of the goalscoring charts ahead of all the teams in the west region on 94, led the division by 10 points in March. But back-to-back defeats against Wishaw and The Candy Rock threatened to derail their title charge.

McColl said: “We shouldn’t have lost any games. I don’t think you could say any team in the league battered us. It was a few mistakes which cost us.

“I remember at Thorniewood when we were 3-2 down. That’s when I thought Larkhall would win the league.

“But we then got the late goal to level it, then we drew 3-3 with Forth in the next game to keep it all alive.”

The Lang gaffer hailed his coaching staff, Jimmy Kerr, George Fotheringham and John Duncan for their efforts and also thanked the fans,players and sponsors.

McColl has not officially confirmed he will be staying on as gaffer next season but hinted: “Why wouldn’t you want to stay winning the league?”

SAYS PAUL McCOLL