Don’t call us favourites, pleads Glens gaffer Craig
GLENAFTON Athletic boss Craig McEwan has dismissed claims his team are now title favourites despite going top of the McBookie.com Super Premier Division.
The Glens leapfrogged Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at the weekend after beating Kilbirnie Ladeside 3-1 at Loch Park.
Saturday’s result now sees Afton sit top of the table, one point ahead of Rob Roy and four points clear of Auchinleck Talbot.
However, while McEwan does not believe Glenafton are now favourites to end the season as champions, he insists his side won’t give up top spot easily.
He said: “To look at the league table and see Glenafton at the top is great for us and our fans but we can’t get carried away.
“We haven’t achieved anything yet and I’ve made that very clear to my players. Yes, we are top but that can change very quickly if we’re not careful.
“It’s great to see us at the top, but that doesn’t make us title favourites in my book.
“I still think the likes of Auchinleck Talbot and Rob Roy are in the driving seat but as much as I’m playing it down, that doesn’t mean we will give up our claim to the title.”
Mick McCann and Chris Dallas were both on the scoresheet at the weekend as Glenafton secured the all-important win over Kilbirnie Ladeside that took them to the sunmmit.
Despite winning the match by two clear goals, McEwan admits his side were not at their best, but says he is delighted to see them win even when they don’t play well.
“To be honest, we didn’t play great on Saturday, I felt we could have played a lot better than we did,” he said.
“However, I’m very pleased to have got the three points and I have to give the lads a lot of credit for grinding out a result against a very tough Kilbirnie side.
“Winning games when we’re not at our best is always pleasing as it shows we have what it takes to get the job done.
“Of course, we’d prefer to win every game easily, but showing we can win games even when we aren’t playing well demonstrates great character.”
McEwan and his players now turn their attention to cup duty as they prepare to square off against Sauchie JFC in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup this weekend.
THE Loch Park gaffer admits Saturday’s game will be a difficult one, but says he’s hoping home advantage will give his side the edge as they look to book their place in the last four.
McEwan said: “Sauchie are a very good side. I have watched them a few times in the lead up to this game and I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen.
“I’m under no illusions that Saturday’s game is going to be a tough one, but I know my players are good enough to give anyone a game, especially at home.
“Having a home tie at this stage in any cup competition is huge as you know the majority of fans will be supporting you.
“I certainly expect our supporters to be our 12th man on Saturday and if everything goes to plan, we will hopefully be celebration a Junior Cup victory afterwards with them.”
Glenafton go i nto this weekend’s quarter-final with a near fully-fit squad, but one player who looks like he will miss out is defender Ryan McChesney.
McEwan said: “It looks like we will have about 99 per cent of the squad available for the game against Sauchie which is great news.
“However, it l ooks like Saturday’s game will come a little too soon for Ryan McChesney as he’s still suffering with a hamstring injury.
“Not having Ryan in the team is a big loss as he’s a great player, but I am confident whoever I choose to take his place will do a great job.”