Promotion is still in our own hands
Winning run extended
Willie Harvey admits Rutherglen Glencairn should have taken all six points from backto-back home games but is glad promotion is in their own hands.
The Celsius Stadium boss was fuming when his team let a two-goal lead slip to allow Larkhall to take away a point on Wednesday.
But The Glens did continue their six-game unbeaten run with a resounding 4-1 victory over Shettleston at the weekend.
The results kept them in the hunt for a place in the top division next season before they venture on a run of three games this week, starting with Cumbernauld away tonight.
Harvey said: “We should never be dropping points when we are 2-0 up.
“We lost two stupid goals, one from a corner-kick right a cross the six yard box.
“We were definitely angry and frustrated but we still picked up a point to keep us unbeaten.”
Harvey hailed his attacking line as Jay McKay and Gary Smith both got on the scoresheet against Shettleston.
He added: “Jay and Gary are playing really well together, so much so that they are keeping Liam Gormley out the team, who as far as I am concerned, is a top, top striker.
“On Saturday the team were outstanding.
“In the first half they played well, they got the goal and kept the ball well after that.
“And in the second they were brilliant so all in all it was a good week.”
Shettleston were gifted a chance to open the scoring after 14 minutes when Craig Palmer mis-hit a backwards pass straight to Ryan McKeever. But the surprised striker couldn’t quite believe his luck and his attempted finish lacked conviction as Jack raced out to block with his legs.
Just as it seemed the scoreline was going to be blank at the interval, The Glens struck just moments before the half-time whistle.
A sclaffed kick out by the keeper was pounced on by Stewart Hall on the halfway line who set up Jay McKay to score with a low shot.
Del McNab produced a delightful finish across Gary Whyte with the outside of his right foot to double Glens’ lead on 56 minutes.
Smith bagged his 19th goal in 14 starts before the score increased to 4-0 in the 70th minute.
Substitute Sean McCall drilled a rising left-footed shot from 20 yards which flew into the postage-stamp corner.
Glencairn’s momentum was broken by a consolation goal for the visitors nine minutes later. Ricky McIntosh’s shot rebounded off Sean McGuire’s chest and flashed into the net for an unfortunate own goal.
However, Harvey had nothing but praise for his players who remain in sixth while three of their promotion rivals dropped points elsewhere.
He said: “Promotion is still in our own hands but there is still a lot of games still to be played. We’ve got games in hand but the teams above have points on us. So all we can do is take one game at a time.”