Willie challenges his stand-in stars
Harvey wants competition
Glencairn manager Willie Harvey has challenged his players to use the sectional league cup to force their way into his plans for the league season.
The side has been ravaged in recent weeks with injuries and people on holiday, leading to a number of players from the club’s under-21s being promoted into the first team.
And after giving them a roasting following their 1-1 draw with East Kilbride Thistle, he was delighted to see the players step up to the plate for the local derby clash with Cambuslang Rangers.
Willie said: “Considering at this time of year we have so many players missing, I can’t fault them for their attitude.
“That said, I did fault them for the way we played against East Kilbride and got a draw, but they turned it around for Saturday in the Cambuslang game.
“I thought East Kilbride played very well against us - I’m taking nothing away from them, as they could maybe have won the game and their attitude was excellent on the day. It’s just what you would expect from an Alan Wardlaw team.
“My concern was about how much our players actually wanted it.
“We had five under-21s in the team on Wednesday.
“We had a conversation after the EK game. We were putting fingers in the facts, and asking if they felt they thought they were better than the players who were missing.
“I want them to be able to show me what they’ve got, so that when everyone returns, they can show that they’re worth staying in the team and keeping the jersey.
“I didn’t think we saw enough of that on Wednesday, and there was a huge change when Saturday came round.
“B e f o re the game at Cambuslang I challenged them to show me they should cement the positions for themselves, to show me, and prove to me, that they are good enough to stay in the team.
“We really need that fighting attitude as I don’t want them to make it easy for me when it comes to picking the team - I want them to be pushing hard, all the time.”
The Glens fought back from a goal down to see of the nine men of Cambuslang Rangers at Somervell Park on Saturday.
Willie said: “On Wednesday, I was worried that we didn’t look fit on the park, and that’s a concern as we are always one of the fittest sides in our division.
“I was pleased to see a total change for Saturday, and felt we played quite well.”
While his Cambuslang counterparts were unhappy with the whistler’s performance, Willie was unwilling to be drawn into the argument.
He added: “Going through the season, I don’t like to slate the referees.
“They’ve got a hard enough job to do without me taking a pop at them.
“I don’t think the referee on Saturday was any worse for one team than the other.”