Grange focus on performance as they start title quest
GRANGE have been banging on the door of the First Division championship since their last title win in 2002. Last season they were runners-up to Kelburne but coach Colin Clarke still insists performance not trophies is his priority.
“Kelburne will be
strong
but we are focused on our own performance and look to improve the quality of our play.
“Our barometer of success will be based around performance and not the number of trophies won.
“They will come if performances are of a consistently high level,” said Clarke.
Grange and Kelburne clash today in the first of a couple of pre-season friendlies between the clubs. Although Grange finished runners-up in the cham- pionship last season and took the Scottish Cup after seeing off Inverleith on penalties, the Paisley side certainly held the upper hand in the head to head confrontations, winning both play-off matches 2-1 and 3-1 and thumped Grange 6-1 in the first league encounter. Grange’s only respite was a 1-1 draw in the return league encounter, with a last-minute Rob Barr spot conversion cancelling out an earlier strike from Lee Morton.
However, Clarke is maintain- ing more of a long term programme for the Edinburgh side. “We are looking to improve our performance for this season and bring on a number of talented youth players. We are looking to build a side not only for this season but for the coming three or four years.”
There have been some comings and goings in the Grange camp over the close season. Gone are the Spanish pair Nani Malgosa and Jaume Ventayol, Andrew Brogdon and Phil Sully are unavailable for the first half of the campaign, while Adam Walker moves to Aberdeen for a job. As a balance, Clarke has recruited a couple of Australians who will not arrive until September, Callum Milne returns after playing in London, and teenage striker Hamish Imrie returns after a year out through injury. Grange have also announced that David Knipe will act as Clarke’s coaching assistant. Internationalist Cammy Fraser is captain.