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Gartcairn's final pre-season clash comes at a cost ahead of Whitletts opener
Gartcairn's final pre-season clash comes at a cost ahead of Whitletts opener

Daily Record

time5 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Daily Record

Gartcairn's final pre-season clash comes at a cost ahead of Whitletts opener

The Airdrie side are gearing up for the West of Scotland First Division Gartcairn co-boss Darren Barr was happy to end pre-season on a winning note but admits it came at a cost ahead of Saturday's West of Scotland First Division opener at Whitletts Victoria. ‌ The Airdrie-based outfit ran out 2-1 winners away to East of Scotland Premier champions Musselburgh Athletic at the weekend, with Dom Morgan and Stefan McCluskey on target. ‌ But Barr's side finished the game with 10 men after left-back Jordan Allan was shown a straight red card, while Kyle Hutton is facing a fitness test after picking up a knock. ‌ Barr said: 'The boys put in a really good performance on the eve of the season starting, so it gives them a bit of belief because Musselburgh are a good team and they did really well last year, winning their league. We had a really good 60-65 minutes. 'There's a few people that were still on holiday and some injuries to contend with. Kyle Hutton took a sore one so we will need to see how he is as the week progresses and we had a man sent off as well, so those two things put a bit of a dampener on it a bit.' Gartcairn are among the favourites for the title having been relegated from the top flight last season, but Barr is sure his players can handle that expectation. He added: 'Looking at the squad, we are in decent place and we are still building. Pre-season is all about getting minutes in the legs and get the partnerships going, working cohesively, so Saturday was a good step towards that. 'Pressure of being one of the favourites is fine. You've obviously got Darvel in there and a few others, so I think it is going to be a really strong league. ‌ 'Some people might have us as favourites but there are plenty of other strong sides in there. 'We'd love a winning start but I'd rather have a strong finish to the season, that is the most important thing. 'The boys know the pressure on them, but all we'll do is take it one game at a time and focus on the way we want to play. ‌ 'With the quality in the squad we know we can compete.' On the Whitletts clash, he added: 'I'm expecting a really tough match. We've watched Whitletts a couple of times and they will give us a really hard first game. 'It is about how we approach it and we will prepare them as best we can. Hopefully we can get off to a positive start.'

Gartcairn squad 'is in place' as boss targets First Division title triumph
Gartcairn squad 'is in place' as boss targets First Division title triumph

Daily Record

time03-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Daily Record

Gartcairn squad 'is in place' as boss targets First Division title triumph

Ryan McStay says the Airdrie club are in a good place ahead of the new season Gartcairn co-boss Ryan McStay says the club is in a good place, with 19 players lined up and ready to kick off next season in the West of Scotland First Division. Though eight clubs are guaranteed promotion into the Premier Division next season due to Lowland League reconstruction, McStay has targeted the title. ‌ And he says obtaining their SFA Licence could see the Airdrie club leap right up to the Lowland League West. ‌ He said: 'We know there's going to be eight promoted, but we're hoping to build a squad that's going to be challenging for the league. 'There's still talk that if clubs in the Premier haven't got their licence, there's a possibility that we could maybe jump up two leagues to the new top league. 'We need to look after ourselves, start well, do things right. 'We have a new analysis room up at the ground, so we're trying to do things right, and make sure the boys buy in to what we're trying to do, crack on, and have a successful season. 'It's going to be a tough league, when you look at the teams that are in it, but we're going to be in a good position. 'We started back pre-season training earlier this month, we've just got another lad confirmed that's going to sign for us, so that takes us up to 19 for the season. ‌ 'We're in a very good position, the squad is looking really good. 'We have a few people coming who are going to do pre-season with us, so people might move on, and others pop up. ‌ 'I've been speaking to other managers who are sitting on 12 or 13 players and struggling to get others in, so for us to be sitting on 19 confirmed at this point means we're in a great position.' Gartcairn have brought in Ryan Dakhil from Pollok as assistant manager, and McStay said: 'We've brought in Ryan, I know and trust him very well. 'Ryan probably knows everyone in this set-up, so he's good to bring players in, and he will be a massive asset.' Goalkeeper Kieran Hughes, defenders Ryan Locke and Scott Rumsby, midfielder Kenny Barr and forwards Robert Thomson and Ross Caldwell have all left the club. Meanwhile, Gartcairn drew 2-2 with Lowland League Broxburn on Saturday in their first pre-season friendly. McStay said: 'It was a brilliant run out for the lads against a good team. There are plenty of positives to take.'

Rutherglen Glencairn promotion dreams boosted with crucial win
Rutherglen Glencairn promotion dreams boosted with crucial win

Daily Record

time07-05-2025

  • Sport
  • Daily Record

Rutherglen Glencairn promotion dreams boosted with crucial win

Glens are in a good position to nab one of two available promotion slots Rutherglen Glencairn gave their promotion hopes a major shot in the arm with a comfortable 2-0 win at Kilbirnie Ladeside on Saturday. Goals from Ants Maguire and Boris Melingui keep Glens in fourth place in the West of Scotland First Division, but knowing that a win over Irvine Meadow, while rivals Kilwinning Rangers and Renfrew are idle, will see them leap up into second, going into the final day. ‌ Maguire struck in four minutes, taking a pass from Ryan McManus before smashing into the net. ‌ Melingui reacted fastest to net when his header hit a post in 28 minutes to double the visitors' lead and ultimately seal the points. And co-boss Joe Pryce admits he enjoyed his Saturday in Ayrshire. He said: 'It was a really good performance from us, and an excellent result. 'We got the early goal, which settled everybody down, and then got the second one just before the half-hour. 'It's a tough place to go, Kilbirnie, but we came back with three points and a clean sheet, which at this stage of the season we've got to be delighted with.' Pryce reckons Glencairn were better than even a comfortable win suggests, but was pleased with the three points. ‌ He said: 'The performance was more convincing than the 2-0 scoreline. 'At 2-0 they were in a position where they were always in it. Kilbirnie don't lie down, they'll go right to the last whistle, and they did. ‌ 'We could have scored a few more, but to come up the road with three points and a clean sheet at this stage of the season, we're happy with that. 'It was deserved. We were the better team for the majority of the match, and we had control of the game. 'We scored a couple of goals, hit the woodwork, their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves as well – it was a thoroughly deserved three points, I don't think anybody who was at the game would say otherwise.' Kilbirnie in 12th are four points ahead of third-bottom Maybole with two games in hand, but Pryce said: 'It's difficult playing a team that's fighting relegation, but it's always difficult going to Kilbirnie anyway. 'They're a massive club at our level, and for whatever reason they've found themselves at the wrong end of the table. 'It's always a great place to play, the pitch is always in great nick, it's a terrific stadium, and I always enjoy my trips there – especially on Saturday, and picking up three points.'

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