Jay’s now in it to win it
Glens’ striker determined to make an impact in cup contest
Rutherglen Glencairn striker Jay McKay knows all about the new manager bounce a team can get .
Allan McGonigal left the East Super League outfit Bo’ness earlier this month. He was replaced by his assistant Steve Kerrigan, and Glens forward McKay reckons it will make things that little bit more difficult come Saturday’s fourth round Scottish Junior Cup tie.
McKay is relieved to have finally found a place to call home in junior football after jumping from club to club for three seasons.
Between his first stint at The Glens ending in 2012 until his return in 2016, the 27 year old played for four clubs and spent time working with different coaches and gaffers.
But he believes Kerrigan’s influence could lift his players for the tie which was originally postponed at the first attempt due to heavy snow.
“I reckon it will make a difference,” he said.
“You know players will go out and try to impress , so we know it will be tough.
“I think we can cause an upset but we do need to be on our game.
“From what I can see they aren’t doing too great in the league, they’re siting in 10th but with a new manager that can all change.”
McKay, who has recently signed a contract extension at the club, continued: “Signing for two more years, it was really handy for me.
“I’ve been about the juniors and I was at a point where I’d been at three clubs in a row in three years so to come
here, it’s nice to have settled.
“The club has got good training facilities and a good park to play on every week.”
McKay has proven to be influential in Glencairn’s attacking line since linking back up with boss Willie Harvey.
The former Bellshill, St Anthony’s and Rossvale ace finished top goalscorer in the 2016/17 season with 17 goals and is only eight away from beating that feat for this campaign.
And although strike partners Gary Smith and Liam Gormely have netted 19 goals between them already, McKay was quick to hail the players in defence as he knows the contribution of the full team will propel them towards their main aim - promotion.
“It’s good to be amongst the goals,” McKay, who was a thorn in both the side of Petershill and Kello in the past two games, said.
“Big Gaz is really good to play with up top and I like playing with Liam too.
“And it’s not just us going forward, it’s the defence and our keeper Jack Baker too. He’s only let in two goals in 2018 and both of them were penalties.
“He’s pulled of some cracking saves so everyone is really playing with confidence.
“Jamie Hamilton is a big player for us as well and that was two wins without him. So we still have him to come back from injury which is a bonus.
“You know when you get a few wins everyone gets that buzz.
“For me the training has been good as well. George [Fotheringham] and Joe [Pryce] have got us doing some good drills.”
McKay has also been up on the treatment table after taking a knock to the ankle at Shettleston last month.
But the Glasgow lad is glad to be back in the mix to hopefully secure his first promotion to the top tier in May.
“I’d picked up an injury but I managed to get a goal the other week against Kello to get my confidence back. I’m happy here and the focus this year is promotion.
“We’re capable and we have got the squad to do it so we can only blame ourselves if you don’t manage it.
“If you don’t finish in the top four, I think most teams would be saying the same thing, then you need to have a look at yourselves. That’s because there is more chances to go up now and we’re only a few points and a couple of games in hand away.”