Catch ’em cold
Lang boss aims for early Cup shock
Cambuslang Rangers manager Paul McColl is hoping his players can catch the higher division sides cold when competitive football returns next month.
Lang haven’t even played a pre-season friendly yet, but Paul’s mind is already looking towards their first fixture in the sectional league cup against Blantyre Victoria on August 8.
While some teams choose to treat the sectional as an extension of pre-season, Paul is hoping his players can make an impact and take that form into their league campaign when it gets underway.
It’s been 14 years since Lang won the sectional trophy, and while Paul realises his team will be seen as underdogs, he thinks they can go on a run and get to the final.
He said: “I done it at Wishaw, we got to the semi-final and it’s a chance to play in a cup final.
“If you get out the group then you play another game then it’s the last four, so you don’t need to win a lot of games to go far in it.
“Maybe other teams won’t have clicked yet and it’s a chance to get a big team to Somervell and maybe get a big crowd and get some money in.
“It’s not out top priority, but it’s something we want to do well in.”
Paul have been busy in the transfer market this week, snapping up former Celtic starlet Ryan Caird.
Also arriving at Somervell is former Wishaw captain, Neil Newman, a player Paul knows extremely well.
With Caird bringing an injection of youth to the squad, Newman, who plays at centrehalf, will be another experienced head to add to a squad which now stands at 15 signed players.
Paul said: “Neil is a sweeper and is very experienced.
“He’s played that role for years and has been promoted before, so he knows how to get up.
“He was captain at Wishaw when I was there and I’ve played against him as well, and he’s a tough opponent.
“We’ve got 15 players at the moment so we’ll still be wanting a few more.
“We now have games coming up and that will give us the chance to have a look at some other guys.
“There’s hopefully another four or five to come in.”
Lang get their pre-season schedule up and running on Saturday ( July 18) when they host Irvine Vics.
After that, there are friendly games against Thorniewood, Glencairn under 21s and Cumnock to look forward too before the big kick-off.
While pre-season is all about fitness levels, Paul reckons some players will get more from the games than others.
He said: “The guys who have signed are just getting their fitness sorted, but for there will be guys who need to impress.
“They are under a wee bit more pressure. When you’re signed, you can relax, but if you’re not then these games are really important.
“Plus, you always want to win. It can build confidence and I’ve never played in a friendly I didn’t want to win.”