THREE WINS FOR SAFETY
Glens gaffer calls on side to hit points target
Rutherglen Glencairn manager Willie Harvey reckons his side should achieve West of Scotland Football League Premier Division safety with 52 points.
But reaching 55 would all but guarantee they don’t go down.
Glens fought valiantly to claim a crucial 2-0 win over Benburb on Saturday, Craig Murray netting in the first half before Jack McIlveen scored after the interval to move them six points clear of the danger zone.
Bonnyton Thistle and Blantyre Victoria are already relegated and five teams will join them, with Harvey keen for his side that sit 12th currently not to be one of that group.
Kirkintilloch in 13th spot have five games in hand while 14th place Glenafton Athletic and 18th place Cumbernauld United have four over a Rutherglen side who have played 35 matches.
Currently sat on 46 points ahead of three defining matches to end the season against Kilbirnie, Rob Roy and Pollok, the Hamish B. Alan Stadium boss reckons two or three wins could do the trick.
He said: “If we can get nine points, it takes us to 55. That would definitely get us safe. If we win two, we’ll be on 52 and I’m quiet confident that would be enough for us as well.
“We just have to keep going and keep plugging away. We were missing bodies on Saturday and I had to rejuggle the team a bit. There’s a lot to be said about the boys coming in and performing.
“It was brilliant. We could tell in the dressing room that it felt good. They treated it like a cup final and got their rewards.
“We know that if we take care of our business, we are going to stay up. We have three games left and I am hopeful. I don’t hold any fear.
“If we win the three games we will stay up, I have no doubt. Win two and I’m quite sure we will.
Win one, it will be touch and go.”
Highlights of Saturday’s match show Harvey jumping for joy when his side’s second goal went in, and he admits it was a show of relief after a tough battle.
He added: “The thing about it was it was the type of thing that usually happens to us. We go up the park, should score, don’t, and then the other team goes down the other end to score.
“Their player has an open goal and puts it straight towards our goalkeeper, Matt McGinley. He’s knocked it down the line, it’s been cut inside and put away.
“The pressure relieved a bit and that was my reaction in the video!”