NO TALL ORDER
Boss believes Binos can bounce back to upset Blue Toon
Stirling Albion manager Kevin Rutkiewicz believes his side can upset title favourites Peterhead at Forthbank tomorrow.
The Binos go into the match on the back of a 3-2 defeat at Elgin but are unbeaten at home since losing to Edinburgh City in Rutkiewicz’s first game in charge back in October.
The Blue Toon have won seven of the last eight meetings and their last four visits to Stirling have yielded 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 and 2-0 wins.
Jim McInally’s men are involved in a three-way battle for the Ladbrokes League 2 title, along with leaders Edinburgh City and third-placed Clyde, who visit Forthbank on Tuesday.
Rutkiewicz said: “Saturday is a huge opportunity for the players to give a good account of themselves and really put down a marker as to how good they can be. This would be the ideal game to bounce back in, when you are testing yourself against the best.
“It will be about belief on the day and I hope whoever is selected shows us the sort of performance where players run through brick walls – it’s about desire and commitment.
“I don’t think there is a fear factor playing Peterhead. There has been a lot more disruption at our club in recent years with changes of manager and squads being rebuilt and the like, whereas Peterhead have had more consistency, but it’s a game my players should relish.”
He added: “We went to Edinburgh last month and turned them over and we’ll be looking to do the same against another of the top sides on Saturday. I’m not looking to stifle Peterhead – I’m looking at how we can win the game and I know that if the guys play to the level they are capable of then we will give Peterhead problems.”
Stirling are four points outside the play-off places but Annan will fancy their chances of increasing that advantage in the coming days when they face struggling Albion Rovers and Berwick.
Rutkiewicz admits the top four is still the target but insists they have come a long way after the team lost eight of their first 10 matches this season.
He said: “The run we have been on has presented people with the opportunity to ask about the play-offs and that is down to the players.
“It’s not essential that we win on Saturday or Tuesday because regardless of the next few days there are going to be ups and downs.
“We had won six out of seven before the Elgin game and Annan are on a similar run.
“I firmly believe we are capable of going on another run of something like one defeat in 13 games but I don’t like to look too far ahead.
“I think it’s a three-horse race for the title and there will be ups and downs and I hope the downs come against us.
“We can have a right good say in what is going to happen and I’m intrigued about the whole situation.”
The manager went on: “I’m delighted to be in that playoff scrap because it’s maybe not one we anticipated being involved in so quickly.
“It’s a luxury position because we were in a relegation battle three months ago. We have accelerated the process of being in contention for the play-offs and the important thing is that we don’t start to slip back.
Stirling Albion’s reserve side were beaten 2-1 by East Kilbride at K-Park on Tuesday evening, having led at half-time through a Scott Miller penalty.