McStay relishing prospect of ‘back-to-back’ cup finals
THE road into Junior football taken by Ryan McStay has had more than its fair share of twists and turns – and it’s looking like a few more lie ahead before he completes his journey.
A 13-year playing career across eight clubs in the Senior ranks, most notably with Falkirk and Dumbarton, hardly equipped him for taking up a role as the joint player/manager of Shettleston at the start of this season with close friend and former Annan Athletic team-mate Peter Weatherson.
However, the good habits, player contacts and in-depth knowledge of the game acquired during the duo’s journeyman careers served them well at the Super First Division outfit.
And even their biggest critics would have to accept that any mid-term report card would deem the pairing’s short-lived Greenfield Park tenure – there was a parting of the ways earlier this month – as “satisfactory work” given they oversaw just two defeats over 90 minutes during a 22-match reign.
With no other management job offers in the pipeline, prolific goalscorer Weatherson opted to reject the overtures from a host of top-flight Junior clubs to re-sign for his former club Annan Athletic as a player while McStay similarly found his services in demand with Largs Thistle, Cumnock and Arthurlie alleged to be among his many suitors.
So it’s somewhat ironic therefore that 31-year-old McStay is hoping to boss the midfield against the Barrhead side to- morrow after putting pen to paper for their arch rivals Pollok for whom he made his debut in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat by Troon.
McStay said: “To have the choice of a number of top clubs was flattering to say the least though my preference was always to remain in and around Glasgow as I didn’t fancy the travelling involved with joining an Ayrshire-based team.
“In this respect Pollok had a bit of an edge due to Murdie McKinnon being a long-time associate as well as me knowing Tony McInally from when he was my brother Gary’s manager at Shotts Bon Accord.
“On top of these factors, Murdie pestered the life out of me to come in to Newlandsfield for talks and a look around the place along with a couple of training sessions under my belt had me agreeing to put pen to paper, though only for the next four or five months.
“That’s because I was honest enough to let Tony know my long-term plans are to get back into management in tandem with Peter and I see this move to Pollok affording me the opportunity to work under a crack management team and learn from how they control their dressing room and put ideas across on the training ground.”
Ryan is relishing the prospect of Pollok facing “back-to-back cup finals” with tomorrow’s short hop to take on third topof-the-table Arthurlie followed by a Newlandsfield locking of horns with current league leaders Rob Roy.
He said: “Everyone is marking my card to expect bumper crowds in both games and the prospect doesn’t frighten me in the slightest particularly as my fitness is improving with every training session.
“Against Troon I felt as if we controlled the game for long stretches but without really creating any clear-cut chances in the final third and we were probably guilty of playing too much football by retaining possession instead of asking questions of Troon’s defenders and forcing them into making mistakes.
“If lessons have been learned then I’d like to think we can be more effective in the forward areas against Arthurlie.”
Pollok will be without suspended centre-back Ross McCabe. However, Mark Sideserf has recovered from a heavy knock to his hip in the Troon game and is expected to take up his usual left-sided role.
In other top-flight encounters, a test of character awaits Beith as they look to get back on the rails after losing their Scottish Cup crown when hosting the visit of Kilbirnie Ladeside, whose manager, Mark Bradley, raised eyebrows this week by placing highly rated attacking midfielder Ian Gold on the open to transfer list.
Reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot will look to close the points gap on leaders Rob Roy at the expense of Beechwood Park visitors Hurlford United while the need to pick up points is every bit as vital in the clash of basement strugglers Kilwinning Rangers and Troon at Abbey Park.