Injury-hit Clyde hope attitude will triumph

CLYDE have eight first-team players missing for tonight’s Scottish Cup replay with Stirling Albion.

Injuries, both serious and minor, plus cup-tied new signings have given manager Barry Ferguson more than a few things to think about.

This is the last tie of the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup, and a trip to Ayr United is the prize for whoever wins at Broadwood after their 2-2 draw from 10 days ago.

Clyde and Ferguson could do with a lift. They lost 2-1 to Arbroath at the weekend and have endured a poor run of form and results of late. A lengthy injury list was the last thing wanted.

Ryan Finnie and Marc McKenzie are cup-tied, Peter MacDonald and Sean Higgins are major injury doubts, while Ross Perry, Jordan Lowdon, Phil Johnston and Dylan Easton are definitely out of the match.

As a player, when Ferguson suffered a setback, he always wanted to right the world’s wrongs as soon as he could. The hope is his team thinks the same.

“Losing on Saturday was really disappointing and when that happened to me as a player I wanted to get playing again straight away,” said the former Scotland and Rangers captain. “I would have taken a game on the Sunday, let alone the Tuesday, and I want the players to be the same.”

Of those who he can select from, Ferguson hopes at least one might put his hand up and declare himself fit, but he’s not banking on it.

“Peter and Sean are doubts and they had to come off at the weekend to have any chance of playing in this game,” he admitted. “As I’ve said before, we are down to the bare bones, but I am looking for a reaction.”

Stirling went down 4-1 to Annan on Saturday and they face Clyde without talismanic striker Dylan Nguene Bikey, who scored both of their goals in the first meeting before moving to Hearts.

Dave Mackay, the Stirling Albion manager, said: “In the first game Clyde never allowed us to play in the manner we would have liked. They closed us down at every opportunity. However, a couple of moments of magic from Dylan saw us grab a couple of goals.”