A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Hardie sure Binos can turn it around
Stirling Albion assistant manager Martin Hardie believes the players can take heart from last week’s display against Edinburgh City as they prepare to host Berwick Rangers tomorrow.
The Binos went down 1-0 to the league leaders but showed good spirit, against a City team who have won 12 games in a row, and now face a crucial fixture against Berwick.
The teams are locked together on six points near the foot of the table – above only Albion Rovers – and the Borderers won 1-0 at Shielfield on the opening day of the season.
Hardie (pictured) said: “I think especially in the second half against Edinburgh City, the tempo of the game was raised. The endeavour was there but we just need that bit of quality in the final third.
“There is plenty to work on. We are obviously new to the club and I would say probably half the players don’t know myself or Kevin (Rutkiewicz). Everything going forward is about positivity going into the Berwick game and it’s one we are looking forward to.”
The former Partick Thistle, Morton and Dunfermline midfielder admits it was an easy decision to join Rutkiewicz at Forthbank, having been U18 coach at St Mirren. The 42 year-old added: “Kevin and I have been tight for 12 years or so since I signed for St Johnstone and we’ve always remained friends. We played at three clubs together and then went on our own coaching pathways but whenever I got the phone call it was easy to leave the St Mirren Academy and come here because we know each other very well. “We were both very committed as players and if you are not willing to run about a football pitch you will never win games. It’s part and parcel of the game, so for us going forward there is going to be an increase in demands. There is always work to be done at a club, whether you are a new face or have been there for four or five years - the aim is to progress week in, week out.”
Stirling beat Berwick Rangers 2-0 in the last Forthbank meeting between the teams in January and Johnny Harvey’s men travel north on the back of a 3-0 home defeat to Cowdenbeath in which they had three players sent off.
Albion were boosted by the return of last season’s top scorer Darren Smith to the squad for the Edinburgh City match and experienced defender Darren Barr – who has taken over the captaincy from Ross McGeachie – impressed on his comeback from injury.
Former Rangers and Falkirk forward Alan Gow could feature as a trialist for a third and final time but on-loan Dundee goalkeeper Calum Ferrie and striker Mark Stewart are both out and the game is also likely to come soon for defender Lee Hamilton.
The referee for tomorrow’s game is Grant Irvine and kick-off is the usual 3pm. Admission prices are £13 for adults, £9 for seniors and students, £5 for U16s and free for U12s. Stirling Albion welcome struggling Berwick Rangers to Forthbank to Saturday in Ladbroke’s League Two.
And McBookie.com reckons new boss Kevin Rutkiewicz will be celebrating a first win as manager by the end of the afternoon.
Albion are odds-on to win at 8/11, with the visitors outsiders at 15/4 and the draw 14/5.
Albion to win half time and full time is 13/8. Stirling to win and both teams to score is also 13/8. Over 2.5 goals and a home win is 29/20 and it is 3/1 for the hosts to win both halves.
Stirling University face Gala Fairydean Rovers in the Lowland League. McBookie.com make both sides 5/4 to win. The draw is 16/5.