Promotion hopes dashed by late goal
Greenock ................. 1 Wishaw .................... 0
Ben Ramage
at the end of the season.
The gaffer was full of praise for his new side though, believing that the huge number of games they have had to play in the last month finally caught up with the players.
“I’m really disappointed for the lads,” former Shotts manager McGuinness told the Press.
“We knew we had to win all five games to get into the play-offs and towards the end of the game we went man-for-man at the back because we knew only a win would do.
“They play quite slowly and only needed a point to ensure they stayed in the division.
“They then scored on the break but it was a risk we had to take.
“We pushed for a vital winner but we paid for it.”
McGuinness believes Wishaw were victims of their own success as they battled to finish the season, having to play three games a week just to catch up with their league rivals.
He was more than pleased with their efforts on the day and congratulated the players for their efforts over the season.
He said: “They’ve just had too many games to catch up on, which is partially down to the Scottish Cup run they went on.
“I spoke to them after the game and, with promotion now out of the way, I said everyone should be really pleased with their efforts over the season.
“I’m delighted with the application of the guys and how they’ve acquitted themselves so far.”
McGuinnes is now setting his sights on rebuilding the squad before his first full campaign in charge next season.
He added: “I’m looking forward to having a chance to sit down with the players and let them know what the targets are for next season.
“There will be guys leaving the club through their own choice and mine. It’s a group in transition and I’m looking to freshen things up a bit.
“There’s a few targets already and talks have been good so far.”