Lack of players was the key to cup exit

Lang manager Paul McColl Cambuslang Rangers boss Paul McColl admitted he was gutted to go out of the West of Scotland Cup but the lack of available players was beginning to take its toll.

A depleted Lang side, who had only two substitutes on the bench for Saturday’s cup clash with Hurlford United, were knocked out of the competition at the last eight stage.

But had McColl’s men reached the semi-finals, he reckons it would have been difficult to field a strong team.

He said:“It was a fairly even game and I thought we played really well.

“In the last two games we have played two decent Premier sides and matched them. Yes we’re disappointed about going out the cup but I don’t know what kind of side I would have put out on Monday in the semi because we have that many boys missing.

“We ran out of steam a little bit towards the end and both teams were short of players.

“But the boys have done really well again. They tired but it was to be expected given it was the end of the season and it was a really hot day.

“A couple of guys you thought might not have been able to play in the league above, now you can see they are capable.

“They showed a good attitude and some of the boys did really well.

“Jamie is a big guy but lasted the full game and Craig Hastings has been out the team. But fair play to him, he’s done really well and got himself a goal.”

Poor defending proved to be Cambuslang’s downfall, who were missing Mark Staunton at the back, a player McColl reckons has made the difference in defence this season.

He continued: “We conceded one goal in the last five matches so that tells you that’s no coincidence when he is playing. “It was a really good game with some good goals and some bad ones from our side of things. Kris Gebbie has mis-kicked the ball in the build up to one of them and there was a mix up a the back between Ross McKinnon and Jamie Hay for another.

“In the end we could have nicked it when the ball falls to Dale Simeon but he’s headed it wide.”

McColl has also started negotiations with players for next season and has even added two new faces to the squad for the 2018-19 campaign.

Former Falkirk forward Scott Davidson has signed from Kilsyth while goalkeeper Sandy Thomson will compete with Ian Stewart for the No.1 jersey following his move from Wishaw.