Vics boss already preparing for next term
Blantyre Vics boss John Gibson admits he’s already looking to next season, after his side secured their West of Scotland League First Division status with a 1-0 win over Whitletts Vics.
It has been a tough season for eighth-placed Vics, with several under-21 starlets brought in to replace departing players, and Gibson has no doubt that pattern will repeat itself over the summer.
They hosted Rutherglen Glencairn last night (Wednesday) before travelling to the Hamish B. Allan Stadium, with a home game against Johnstone Burgh on May 27 to end their campaign.
And Gibson said:“that’s us safe now, we can’t be caught by any of the teams below us.
“Cumbernauld and Bonnyton Thistle can’t catch us, so that’s us officially safe, that win on Saturday made sure that’s us there, which is good.
“We’ve struggled over the line because of injuries – I’ve only got 10 first-team players now, with people leaving, injuries and that.
“The under-20s have been brilliant and have helped us to get where we are.
“We had three starting on Saturday there and still got the win, which was very good, and we’ll use them again right up until the end of the season.
“But that gives us a wee bit of heart for going into next season.
“We’d like to bring a few in, but it’s all down to finances as well. There are a few boys I’ve seen, but what I might do is go for a few players below us, give them that platform to play.”
Ahead of their double-header against Glens, Gibson said:“if we had our full squad I’d be saying let’s finish as high up the league as possible, and that’s still the case, but we’ll be realistic about what we’ve got in front of us and what we have to play with.
“As long as we’re in that division. It will be a good division next year and a hard one to get out of and stay in, with good teams coming down and up.”