HARDIE IS IN AS NO.2
Help for Rutkiewicz
New Stirling Albion manager Kevin Rutkiewicz has appointed Martin Hardie as his assistant at Forthbank.
Hardie (below) had been coaching the U18s at St Mirren but makes the move ahead of tomorrow’s home game against League 2 leaders Edinburgh City.
The 42-year-old enjoyed winning a number of league promotions in his playing days as a midfielder and can count Partick Thistle, St Johnstone, Dunfermline and Morton among his former clubs.
Rutkiewicz was named as Dave Mackay’s replacement on Monday with interim boss Darren Barr having taking the team for the games against Cowdenbeath and Queen’s Park.
The ex- Aberdeen and St Johnstone defender faces a tough dug-out debut when the Binos welcome Edinburgh City to town. The 38-year-old joins from Annan Athletic, where he had been No.2 to Peter Murphy since summer 2017.
Beset by injuries and on a run of four straight defeats, Albion’s predicament is in stark contrast to this weekend’s opponents.
James McDonaugh’s Edinburgh side are on an incredible run of 11 straight wins in all competitions, the most recent a 1-0 win against Civil Service Strollers in the Scottish Cup.
They boast the top scorer in League 2 in former Stirling striker Blair Henderson and ran out 3-1 winners when the teams met at Ainslie Park in August. The most recent encounter at Forthbank was a 2-2 draw in a midweek match at the end of March.
Only Elgin have managed to take points off City who, as well as 15-goal Henderson, have two more former Binos in their ranks in Scott Shepherd and Andy Black. Strong and wellorganised at the back and with a real threat at the other end of the park, as well as a good physical presence, Albion will have their work cut out if they are to upset the odds and earn what would be just their third
Stirling Albion are back on league business this week after their Scottish Cup exit last Saturday.
And it will be new manager’s Kevin Rutkiewicz’s first game in charge as they welcome shock League Two leaders Edinburgh City to Forthbank.
McBookie.com believe it could be a baptism of fire for the new boss and make league win since March. It’s been a depressing period for the club and that bad run continued last weekend when Queen’s Park won 2-1 at Forthbank in the Scottish Cup, with Jordan Allan missing a stoppage-time penalty.
Rutkiewicz sounds genuinely excited at having the opportunity to try to turn things round, while Hardie’s commitment to the cause in his playing days was well renowned.
Rutkiewicz said: “I’m proud to be manager of Stirling Albion and I’m looking forward to the first game. I’m prepared to work as hard as possible and we need the players to do the same – this squad is better than results have shown recently.
“There is no magic formula but we all need to be pulling in the same direction. I also want to try and reconnect the fans with the club and I’ll be honest and approachable.”
Dylan Mackin could make his debut tomorrow. The former Livingston and Alloa striker has signed on an amateur deal until January after leaving Falkirk.
the capital side 11/10 favourites with Stirling 13/5 and the draw 12/5.
Stirling University are back on Lowland League business after their Scottish Cup history-making heroics last week at Deveronvale. They are away to Whitehill Welfare at Ferguson Park and the students are strong favourites at 4/11, with the hosts 16/5 and the draw 11/2.