MnColl has strength in depth
Match reaction
The strength and depth of Cambuslang Rangers’squad pleased gaffer Paul McColl after his depleted team claimed all three points at Larkhall.
McColl was without six key players for the trip to Gasworks Park.
And he was also missing assistant managers Billy Campbell and Jimmy Kerr in the dugout, leaving himself and co-boss Gary Johnstone on the sideline.
However, the players who stepped into fill the boots of those absent from Saturday’s team sheet gave a good account of themselves according to the Lang manager.
“We played well but we should have been out of sight in the first half,” McColl said. “We had plenty of chances but didn’t take them.
“In the second half they came into it. McStay and Gracie were a handful and caused us problems and if it weren’t for our keeper it could have been a different scoreline.
“We were missing seven players like Hastings, Gemmell, Lawson, Morton, Meikle, Henderson and Halson. They are all top players so it says a lot about the guys who came in to get a good result.
“Adam Boyle was excellent all afternoon, winning headers and tackles. To be fair to him he’s not kicked a ball in the past few weeks but he’s not grumbled and moaned, he’s got on with it and worked hard. And that is the way to respond to being left out. Hewitt was very good as well and our goal keeper was exceptional.”
The result was The Lang’s sixth victory in a row as they head into the semi-final of the Sectional League Cup tonight against Clydebank.
McColl expects most of Saturday’s absentees to be available for this evening and challenged his side to reach the club’s first cup final in 17 years.
He said:“It’s a big step up. It will be interesting to see what the bookies make of this one as Clydebank are probably slight favourites. They bring a decent crowd too so it should make for a good night.
You could play junior football for 20 years and still not get to a cup final so this is a real chance for the players.”