Blantyre aim to snap up senior players

Blantyre Vics are looking to capitalise on senior clubs losing players this summer as they prepare for life in the West of Scotland League.

Manager John Gibson has re-signed 14 of last season’s squad and added striker Sam Mackenzie from Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, and former Royal Albert midfielder Mikey Archer.

However, he hopes there will be a few players who will trickle down from senior sides as they make cuts.

Gibson said:“sam was my top goalscorer for two seasons at Blantyre before he went to Rob Roy, and Mikey was at Royal Albert and St Roch’s, so they’ve been about.

“I’m delighted to get Sam back, and Mikey’s one I’ve been chasing for a couple of seasons, and finally got him, so I’m happy.

“We’ve lost a couple and got two in, but I’m looking for another centre-half and I’ve lost my number two goalkeeper, but I’ll wait and see what comes up.

“There will be a lot being released now from senior clubs, so there may be a few falling down. We’ll see what we can get, if we can pick anything up.”

Blantyre are in Tier 6 of the West of Scotland League set-up, and Gibson’s looking forward to the challenge.

“You see on social media everyone who’s signing players, and some of the teams are looking to maybe move up and get their pitches in order for licences and all that.

“We’re definitely looking forward to playing against these teams.

“I always tell my players that if you play against better players it will make you a better player, and it’s going to be a very competitive league, with the 20 teams in it.”

Gibson hopes to be back in action in October or maybe even September, and reckons West of Scotland League football will hold an advantage for measures that will be in place.

He said:“we’re just waiting for the official dates to start back up.

“I’m hopeful it’s a wee bit before October, with the way things are going, and September would be great.

“The nature of our football is that we’re not going to have crowds of 5000 or 1500, it’s more like 200 or 300, and I hope we can socially distance round the pitch.”