Take a chance*

IMRIE SAYS LOSS OF SUSPENDED SKIPPER IS PERFECT TIME FOR A PLAYER TO PROVE THEIR WORTH

A series of yellow cards counts the captain out of today’s clash against Cove at Balmoral Stadium, meaning Imrie will have to make a change to a side which is on a seven game unbeaten streak.

The 31-year-old midfielder has been ever-present in the Greenock side this season, having started all 15 league games so far.

Imrie says that while Gillespie will be a big miss, Cove are also missing a key man due to a ban and he has challenged his captain’s replacement to grab the chance that presents itself this afternoon.

He told the Tele: “That is what the message always is to the players that aren’t in the team - keep training hard and pushing to try and get that opportunity, and take it when it comes along. “Grant is out today so it is a chance for somebody to go and try and cement their position. “Grant has been superb since he has come through the doors and he will be a big miss for us today.

“But Cove are missing Mitch Megginson, which will be a blow for them. I think he is one of their best players - he makes them tick.”

Cove are eighth in the Championship table but Imrie knows his side are in for a tough test against last season’s League One winners.

He says he sees similarities in how the two teams have started this campaign.

Imrie told the Tele: “Jim McIntyre has gone in there over the summer and obviously it took them a little while to get going, which was pretty similar to ourselves.

“But if you look at their home form recently over the last six to eight weeks, they have been very good there.

“We know it is going to be a difficult game but it is one that we are looking forward to and want to try and pick up points from.”

Imrie hopes his side can use their current confidence and momentum to leave Cove with a good result.

The former Hamilton player has praised the strong mentality his side have shown in recent weeks.

He says they are displaying that they have the capabilities to win in different ways and fight to the very last whistle to get three points, with late goals in victories over Raith and Partick Thistle during their hot run of form.

Imrie said: “That is what we have instilled in them, a never say die attitude.

“We’ll go to the last minute, the game is never won in the first, it is over 90, and you have always got that opportunity to go right to the wire.

“We are winning games but we know things can change quickly in football and we have to keep our feet on the ground, keep playing and hopefully pick up as many points as we can.”