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Boss Rutkiewicz heaps praise on his Binos
Stirling Albion boss Kevin Rutkiewicz was understandably delighted with his side’s display as they thrashed Brechin City 5-0 at Glebe Park on Saturday to go second in League Two.
Jack Leitch, David Wilson, Andy Ryan, Scott Roberts and Declan Byrne were all on target against a City side who had Gregor Jordan sent off in first-half stoppage time.
Stirling were in Betfred Cup action at home to Montrose last night and travel to Dingwall on Saturday to play Ross County in their final Group D fixture. It will be Albion’s first visit to the Global Energy Stadium since a 0-0 draw in a First Division match in February 2011, which came 12 months after a 9-0 thrashing in a Scottish Cup tie there.
Looking back on Saturday’s game, Rutkiewicz said: “It was a good performance all round – the sending off obviously had a bit of an impact but I felt we were well on top before that.
“It didn’t look to me that the tackle merited a red card in itself but if Declan was clear on goal then it has to be red for denying him that opportunity.
“We started the game a wee bit slack but we found our feet and the message at half-time was just to continue playing the way we had finished the first half, which was being on the front foot and moving the ball quickly.
“David Wilson took a hold of the game in the middle of the park. He has been exceptional this season and we are seeing what he can do. He was involved in a lot of good things last season but he has added consistency and that ball with the outside of the foot in the build-up to Andy Ryan’s goal is just something a lot of players don’t have in their locker.
“Jack Leitch showed a great touch and finish for his goal and to have five different scorers is very pleasing. The defence was strong and you could go through the whole team – everyone was at a good level.
“There was quality all over the park and there was energy from Declan Byrne up front – as a centre-half I would just have hated playing against him. He was strong and aggressive and probably should have scored at least one more goal.
“At 2-0 against ten men sometimes these games can just drift but that didn’t happen. It also gave us an opportunity to give the likes of Dom Docherty,
Sean Heaver and Cammy Thomson some game time, as well as Lewis Magee, who has been out for well over a year with a cruciate injury.”
Defender Paul Mclean, however, might be out for another week or so.
Rutkiewicz added: “He trained last Thursday but he was feeling it a bit – he is a big player for us and we don’t want to rush him back. Hopefully he will be at full tilt at training before the Elgin game on November 21.
“We’ve had a tough start but the boys have come through it well and we are still unbeaten in the league.”