Big-hearted Spartans ‘deserve success’

SPARTANS striker Cammy Russell reckons there is not a club that merits promotion to the SPFL more than the Lowland League champions. While the team are chasing success on the park, Russell admits the work the club do for the local community in some of the most deprived areas in Scotland is hugely important. The north Edinburgh outfit offer support and education programmes for children, and long-serving boss Dougie Samuel even makes it clear to players when they join that they are role models representing the local area. Spartans will attempt to make a step closer to the SPFL when they lock horns with Albion Rovers in today’s pyramid play-off final first leg at Ainslie Park. And Russell, who made the switch from Kelty Hearts in 2021, is desperate to help the club achieve their dream. He said: ‘There is probably not a club or manager that deserves it more. ‘I don’t know if people realise that the club do a lot for the community and help disadvantaged people. The gaffer, himself, anyone who has worked with him can only speak highly of him. ‘He looks after people first rather than the football side, which is appreciated by every single one of us.’ Albion Rovers forward Charlie Reilly, meanwhile, is determined to bow out on a high by keeping the club in the SPFL. The 21-year-old, linked with Championship winners Dundee, will depart Rovers this summer after scoring 24 goals so far for a team who finished bottom of League Two. Reilly, nominated for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award, said: ‘Everybody knows I’ll be leaving at the end of the season so, if I can leave on a high and keep the club where it belongs in the SPFL, I’ll be over the moon.’