Title-push is still on despite reverse—McKinnon
JUNIOR boss Murdie McKinnon is backing his Blantyre Vics players to pick themselves up from their 2-0 weekend reverse at the hands of Kilsyth Rangers to figure in the scrap for a Super First Division promotion place.
A goal each from Nikky Prentice and Corey Pearson brought a six-game unbeaten run to an end as the Vics crashed to only their second defeat in the 11 games played since former Irvine Meadow No 2 McKinnon assumed the Castle Park reins back in January.
The boss said: “We were all feeling down in the dumps and hurting after Saturday’s loss but what should not be overlooked is Kilsyth are well organised with a good mix of experience and legs in their side and are more than capable of taking points from other teams as well.
“There is no denying it was a setback. However, the trick now is to try to bounce back away to Rutherglen Glencairn tomorrow which I believe will be easier said than done as Willie Harvey’s players have hit a bit of form in recent weeks and have lost only one of their last six games. That said, we have a group of players whose work ethic and determination can serve us well in the circumstances.
“Slipping up at Duncansfield has made our step-up chances a lot more difficult but promotion was always out of our own hands so nothing has really changed in this respect and the guys still have everything to play for.
“A seven game run-in remains, inclusive of head-toheads with the three teams directly above us in the table — Cumnock home, Clydebank away and Kilwinning Rangers home — and I cannot help but think those outcomes will prove huge factors in deciding who goes up and who does not.”
McKinnon has rung the dressing room changes since taking over the hot-seat — and last night he confirmed his intention to make further tweaks to his playing squad.
He said: “I inherited a group of guys with a great heart and a battling spirit second to none but undoubtedly lacking for strength in depth.
“Almost from day one, I made strengthening moves designed to give us players on the bench ready to come in and prove a point but I also looked for an injection of quality to help the players who had been here previously and, to be fair, they have bought into all the changes made.
“Newcomers like Chrissy Craig, Darren McLean and Craig Buchanan have dovetailed perfectly with Davie Green, Mark Thomson and Craig Smith to provide us with a strong core and that will improve fur ther when Ter ry Hewitt comes back from injury.
“Scott Walker is also making his mark after being recruited from Clydebank and I have high hopes for our left-back Lee Foggon, on loan from Cumbernauld Colts.
“Both myself and my No 2 Ian Penman are happy with the shape of the squad but that will not stop us moving for the right players should they become available.” 0