SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT Binos gaffer wants to give fans a boost
Stirling Albion could move into the play-off places for the first time this season when they face Elgin City at Forthbank tomorrow.
The Binos haven’t been at home since losing in the last minute to Edinburgh City on December 21 but have reeled off three straight away wins to close the gap on fourthplaced Annan to one point.
With the Galabankies away to leaders Cove Rangers, a win against an Elgin team just a point below them in League 2 would probably see Kevin Rutkiewicz’s men climb into the play-offs.
Stirling endured a nightmare start to 2019/20 with five straight defeats but if the league had started in September they would be in third place, with only three losses in 15 matches.
Elgin thumped Annan 4-0 a fortnight ago but Gavin Price’s team were beaten 3-2 by Stenhousemuir in their last outing and Albion have won both meetings between the teams this season – 1-0 at Forthbank in September and 2-1 at Borough Briggs in November.
Rutkiewicz said: “The fact we have beaten Elgin twice gives us confidence but to be honest I believe we can beat anyone in this league on our day. For me, Elgin are still one of the best sides in this division from middle to front and they will pose a threat.
“I thought in the first game at Forthbank we dominated the game and thoroughly deserved the win but we were possibly lucky to get a 2-1 win up at Elgin. I’m very aware of what Elgin can do and Gavin’s team will always come and have a go – they won’t come down and sit in.”
He added: “We’ve done very well in the last three games and we are scoring goals. The fans have been fantastic in those matches away from home and hopefully we can give them something to shout about at home. Saturday is a big game but I think there will be a lot of ups and downs in League 2 over the next couple of months so one result won’t define things.
“If you look back at the last few months, we’ve not had many offdays – we’ve had some disappointing results but in most of those games you could argue we deserved more.”
With the transfer window closing next week, it looks unlikely that any news faces will be at Forthbank.
Rutkiewicz went on: “In terms of adding to the squad, any business we do will be limited – it might only be one player or it might be none – but the loan market is open for us until the end of February, so we do have a bit of time. We have to make sure that anyone we bring in is good enough to improve the team and also that they are going to buy into the dynamic that we have created, which is one of mucking in and wanting to be here.”
Midfielder Kevin Nicoll is set to miss out against Elgin after suffering a foot injury in last week’s 3-2 triumph at Annan and the game could come too soon for striker Josh Peters. Goalkeepers Blair Currie and Cammy Binnie are both still sidelined but Cammy Thomson could return to the squad after missing the last few matches with an ankle knock.
On-loan Rangers keeper Nicky Hogarth made his debut last week and is set to continue in goal, with Owen Stott again likely to be on the bench as a trialist. The referee for tomorrow’s game is Mike Roncone and kick-off is the usual 3pm. Admission is £14 for adults, £10 for seniors and students, £5 for U16s and free for U12s.