THATWAS FOR THE GAFFER
HarveyreturngaveGlencairnaboost
Rutherglen Glencairn goalkeeper Scott McLellan says the return of manager Willie Harvey to the dug-out spurred Glens on to a weekend cup victory.
Harvey has battled Covid-19 recently and therefore ruled unavailable for duty, with assistant boss Joe Pryce stepping in to lead the team in the first part of the West of Scotland Football League Premier Division season.
Glens booked their place in the WoSFL Strathclyde Demolition Cup semi-finals by beating Neilston on penalties, following a 1-1 draw with the Conference C side. Fraser Malcolm netted for Rutherglen.
Goalkeeper McLellan says the victory was for Harvey after a dramatic penalty shootout.
“It was nice to have the manager there,” he said. “Joe has done brilliantly, stepping up and leading the team. We have been playing very well at times under him.
“But to have the gaffer back on the side of the pitch was obviously great for the boys to see. It was great for the boys to see him looking well, too.
“When he was out with Covid, it was a struggle for the boys. Not seeing him there was difficult for a lot of the guys in the changing room.
“But the whole team are delighted he got back and he gave us that extra push in the penalty shootout.
“When we were first told he wasn’t doing well, it was in the boys’ minds to some extend – Willie’s great with the guys. It was a wee jag for us.”
McLellan is jostling for the number one spot with Matt McGinley, and says Saturday’s display was all about enjoying his football again.
He explained: “It was great to be back in the team. It was good to be back on the pitch and enjoying myself. The game went to penalties and they scored first.
“I saved a penalty but it got ruled out as me taking a step too far off my line.
“Unfortunately, they then scored from that and it went to sudden death. They missed and we scored, which got us the win.”
McLellan watched Auchinleck Talbot and Clydebank progress in the Scottish Cup and hopes Glens can reach that level.
He said: “It shows the standard we are playing at this level that teams can match those clubs in the SPFL.”