A close encounter predicted as Binos face Annan at home
Stirling boss Kevin Rutkiewicz reflected on his two years at Forthbank and believes progress is being made — but knows this is a big season for himself and the club.
The former Aberdeen defender has been in charge of 57 league games — winning 21, losing 22 and drawing 14 since his first match at home against Edinburgh City on October 27, 2018.
Rutkiewicz will be hoping to reach 22 wins after tomorrow’s match with Annan Athletic at Forthbank, which will see the 40-yearold face off against the club he was assistant manager at before joining the Binos.
He said: “I have loved it but I’ve been here two years and not had a full season! I think what we have now is a younger squad than when I came in, when maybe some of our better players were older and were going to need replaced.
“I’ve changed the identity of the team a wee bit. When I arrived I always felt that Stirling had been very open — scoring plenty but conceding a lot and that’s not a great recipe. It did need addressed because you can’t keep losing sloppy goals and goals from set-plays.
“There are certain things we have been successful at and overall I think we have gone forward but not as far as I would have wanted.”
Rutkiewicz had high hopes of guiding Binos into a promotion play-off spot last season before the coronavirus outbreak called a premature halt to the League Two campaign.
This term, top four is the target — and the Stirling boss firmly believes he has the squad to deliver that aim.
“I probably underestimated last year, the task of trying to gel 16 or 17 new players but credit to the boys because we became a team — I don’t know where we would have finished but we were in with a shout of the play-offs,” admitted Rutkiewicz.
“When I came in two years ago, I got a great reaction from the boys. They were sitting second bottom of the league and a bit rudderless.
“Confidence was low, and there were a lot of injuries.
“I know some of the Stirling fans will be frustrated that the progress is slow but I really do feel we have a stronger squad now.
“I think we have an identity about us and I don’t think anyone would see us as a soft touch — I also think we are mentally tougher.
“I’m really hoping that with Andy Ryan, Declan
Stirling Albion rescued an important point from their derby encounter with Stenhousemuir last week and welcome Annan Athletic to Forthbank on Saturday.
Mcbookie.com have this down as a close one, with the hosts narrow 7/5 favourites and Annan 13/8. The draw is 12/5.
Byrne, Dylan Mackin and Sean Heaver to call on, we can become a ruthless team up front.
“I feel we are in a good place. We have had a solid start with draws against two good teams but now we have to really stand up and announce ourselves.
“Queen’s Park and Stenhousemuir will be thinking we are a good team and I would expect Stenny to be up there challenging at least for the play-offs, while Queen’s are title favourites.
“It’s a tough league and you saw that with Cowdenbeath winning at Edinburgh City and Annan beating Hamilton in the Betfred Cup.
“Elgin have hit the ground running and are scoring goals and I think there will be a lot of teams challenging for the top four.”
Saturday’s weather forecast is for heavy rain but fans will be able to watch from the comfort of their own home via Stirling Albion TV as the Binos seek their first League 2 victory since beating Brechin City 2-0 at Glebe Park at the end of February.
First scorers include last week’s hero Jack Leitch at 7/1 and Declan Byrne at 6/1.
Albion are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Annan and had two wins last season. A half time and full time win for the hosts is 14/5.
Over 2.5 goals and a home win is 14/5, while both teams to score and a Stirling win is 7/2. Over 2.5 goals on its own is 17/20.
Stirling are 10/3 to win to nil and 9/4 to keep a clean sheet, A 1-0 home win is 15/2 and a 2-0 victory is 11/1.
Albion are 4/1 to win minus a goal on the handicap.
In the Lowland League, Stirling University travel to the capital to face Civil Service Strollers after drawing with one of the title favourites Bonnyrigg Rose on Wednesday. Mcbookie.com make both sides 6/5 to get the win at Christie Gillies Park. The draw is 19/5.