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Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Former Dundee United hero stings Shotts with late leveller in opener with Glenafton
John McKeown was left cursing the quality of Chris Erskine as his side almost walked away with a win Former Dundee United hero Chris Erskine came back to haunt Shotts boss John McKeown on Saturday, but he felt a draw was fair against Glenafton Athletic. Taylor Evans had the hosts ahead 19 minutes into their West of Scotland Premier Division curtain-raiser, but Erskine climbed off the bench to net a screamer with three minutes left and take a share of the spoils. At 38, McKeown says Erskine is still a cut above the rest. He said: 'I think a point is a fair reflection, and the difference was them bring on a real bit of quality in Chris Erskine, who did it last year against us as well. 'He came on and scored the winner in the league game away to Glenafton last season, and in the home game we were in the lead and he set up the equaliser. 'On Saturday he scored an absolute screamer, so you just have to tip your hat to that, and say it's a guy who has been at the top level, playing in the Premier League. 'Without being disrespectful to our boys, he's just that wee bit of class above, and he's probably a class above most players in that league, despite his age. 'He's looked after himself and he's a phenomenal player. His goal was an absolute screamer, and he's probably the only player on the park that could have done that. 'It was probably a fair outcome if I'm being honest. We started the game a little bit better than them, got our noses in front, but there wasn't a lot in it at half-time, there weren't a great deal of chances. 'We did look dangerous when we were loading their box with set-pieces and stuff, but a typical nervy first game back, and both teams probably had a couple of players missing due to holidays, and injuries. 'But in the second half Glenafton probably controlled the game, and although the equaliser was late on in the game, if I'm honest it was coming.' McKeown was glad to get back to competitive games, as they prepare to host a Largs Thistle side on Saturday that he feels will be challenging for honours. 'It was good to get back, and it did come a wee bit early for us, because we've had a wee bit of a rebuild job to do,' said McKeown. 'But some of the new boys showed up well. Marc McKenzie was fantastic, our goalkeeper Chris Henry had a good game, young Codi Stark, who's on loan from Livingston was excellent, and Dylan McGuigan was good. 'We were bedding in four or five new players, which is never easy, and I felt we did okay, but we've got miles to go. 'I think Glenafton and Largs are two teams that will be up there in the top half of the table, I have no doubt about that, so it's a decent enough start. 'But Largs lost to Cumnock on Saturday, so they'll be looking to get themselves off the mark. 'We just need to look after ourselves, and hopefully the boys are a bit closer, in terms of match-fitness, and getting to know one another, probably more importantly! 'Last year we were maybe four or five games in before we got our first point, so it's a better start. We have a whole new squad, and it's going to take a wee bit of time, but I saw a lot of positives on Saturday.'
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn 0 Drumchapel United 0: Pryce praises players for holding big-spending rivals in opener
Glencairn battled out a stalemate in their first game back in the West of Scotland Premier Division Joe Pryce hailed his side's battling performance as they drew 0-0 at big-spending Drumchapel United, and said that's the standard they must hit every week. Glens went toe-to-toe with Drum in their West of Scotland Premier Division opener at Dewar Park, and Pryce reckons they might have got something out of the game with a bit more bite up front. New signing Josh Gemmell nearly made an impact on his debut, but was denied by United keeper Sam Gibson. Neither keeper had a save to make in the first half, with Bradley Rodden and Kieran Moore off-target for Drumchapel, while Danny Smith blazed over for the visitors. Drumchapel's Carlo Monti curled a free kick inches wide in the second half, and Lewis McTaggart hit the outside of Blair Lochhead's post. Glencairn went close when Ryan McManus rattled the crossbar, and Gibson saved well from Gemmell. Co-boss Pryce said: 'We're going to have to perform at the level we did on Saturday for the next 29 games to get anything out of them. 'We started off with a point, it's a good thing to build on, you get yourself off the mark in your first game – but it's only a start, and we have another 29 really tough games to go. 'There were no failures in the team. I was really pleased with the goalkeeper and the back-line to keep a clean sheet. 'The midfield three worked tirelessly throughout the game, and up front the lads really worked hard, and showed a bit of quality as well. 'They were brave and courageous on the ball, they were wanting to take it in tight areas, so I was pleased with them. 'It was a good performance. In your first game back in the Premier League after a while, against a good side like Drumchapel, who have recruited really well over the summer, the first thing we had to do was show that we could compete, and they certainly did that. 'I thought we were excellent, especially in the first half. Our shape and our structure were fine, in terms of keeping the ball we were doing well, but we just lacked that wee bit of a cutting edge up front. 'We lost quite a few players from our front line last season, Jack McIlveen, Scott Jarvie and Boris Melingui, so you're talking over 30 goals, and we're looking to recruit in that area.' Glens came up from the First Division last season by finishing in the promotion spots and Pryce was impressed with how his side quickly got to grips withe the step up. He added: 'It was our first game back in the Premier League and we kept a clean sheet against a good side in Drumchapel, with real firepower up front, so you've got to be happy with that. 'It's great to be back at that level, we've fought hard to get there, so we have to make sure we try and compete. 'Lots of teams are spending quite a few pounds at this level, Drumchapel are not the only ones – every game we play in this division is going to be tough. 'But that's why you're in this division, to play against the big guns every week.'
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss is looking to strengthen
The club are preparing for life in the West of Scotland Premier Division Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss Joe Pryce expects to add a goalkeeper after signing striker Josh Gemmell from Caledonian Braves. The 20-year-old, who signed on Tuesday morning, and is a graduate of Morton's youth set-up, was one of two trialists who played in Saturday's friendly at Glenrothes to mark the 50th anniversary of the sides meeting in the Scottish Junior Cup final. Glenrothes won 1-0 on both occasions, and was the final warm-up as Glens kick off their West of Scotland Premier Division campaign at Drumchapel United on Saturday. Pryce said: 'The reason they were trialists is purely because the forms hadn't gone through yet, but these boys will be joining us, that's for sure. 'At this time of year everything takes a bit longer, because everybody's putting paperwork in at the same time. 'But we had five of the under-20s up with us, helping us out. We had a few players missing through work commitments and holidays, but we made sure we participated in that celebration, because it was important. 'It was more about the occasion than the game, about celebrating the players from 50 years ago from both sets of clubs. 'The minute they invited us up, we were always going to go. It was a good day, the piper piping the old players onto the pitch, the Provost Jim Leishman being there – it was a terrific day, a great occasion, and something we're very proud to be part of. ' Pryce expects a fierce challenge from a Drumchapel side he reckons will be challenging for the title this season. He said: 'Pre-season has been excellent and we're ready for a really tough game on Saturday. 'Drumchapel are a good side, you can see some of the signings they've made, and they've added real quality to their team. 'They finished well last season in the top half of the table, and they'll be looking to go better than that. They're aiming for the top spot, and with the players they've signed, they should be. 'We're as prepared as we're going to be. We could have done with a few more bodies in the door, but they've got to be the right type. 'If we need to wait three or four weeks into the season to get them in, that's what we'll do. • Glencairn lost 3-1 in a friendly against Queen's Park under-19s at the Spiders' Lochinch training facility, with Ants Maguire getting the visitors' goal.
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shotts gaffer fires warning ahead of Premier Division opener
The Bonny are all set for kick-off in the West of Scotland League this weekend John McKeown has warned his Shotts side they must stop taking their foot off the gas in games as they prepare for their West of Scotland Premier Division opener this weekend. The Hannah Park boss watched the Bonny blow a 3-0 half-time lead to draw 3-3 with Blantyre Vics on Saturday in their final friendly match of pre-season, where goals from Marc McKenzie, Liam Craig and Kieran McGuire appeared to put them on easy street. That came off the back of his side easing up in the recent friendly wins over Fauldhouse and Thorniewood. But a tougher test awaits on Saturday when Glenafton Athletic come calling (kick-off 2pm) in their top flight opener and McKeown has told his players he isn't happy with their recent habit. He said: 'It has been a wee bit of a pattern in our pre-season, starting really well and doing well for the first half hour, then taking our foot off the gas. At Fauldhouse we were 5-0 up and then it finished 5-1, at Thorniewood we were 3-0 up and it finished 3-2, although in those ones we were bringing on kids. 'But on Saturday there was no excuse for it because we never made that many changes. 'I could accept the other two but on Saturday we kept the team strong because we had been taking our foot off the gas - and we still conceded three! I was quite annoyed by that. 'We are missing seven or eight players due to holidays but they will be back this week. 'It is about ironing out this bad habit because the first 45 minutes on Saturday was the best football I've seen us play at Hannah Park in a long time. We looked great, we praised the boys at half-time and then they go and do what they did, so we had a go at them. But it is better doing it now than in the league games. 'This weekend we'll play Glenafton, who are a really good side. We beat them in the West Cup last season and they beat us in the league at their place, then drew at Hannah Park. 'They've got a really experienced manager in Paul Paton, who has played at a really good level. He's really improved them over the last six months so it is going to be difficult. 'We'll need to make sure everyone works hard on the training pitch to be ready for it. I have seen a lot of positives and some really good stuff, but I have seen some negatives as well and I think we are a wee bit short in certain areas.' McKeown revealed he is hoping to add to his squad before the weekend with defender Sam Greenwood out injured long term. He added: 'Hopefully we have one new face in before Saturday. We've been dealt a huge blow with Sam, so we'll need to strengthen in that area.'
Daily Record
04-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss left with rebuild job after summer exodus, but has 'added quality'
Joe Pryce is confident that he has strengthened his squad ahead of their return to the West of Scotland Premier Division A summer exodus has left Rutherglen Glencairn with a big turnaround as they prepare for life in the West of Scotland Premier Division. Co-boss Joe Pryce says he has the nucleus of his squad, but admits he's surprised by how many players left at the end of a promotion-winning season, including goalkeeper Chris White. But Pryce is confident that he has brought in quality players, which the club expects to start announcing in the coming days. 'We lost quite a few of last season's squad, it's almost in double figures, now, that have moved on,' said Pryce. 'It's a big turnaround for us. 'But the nucleus of the squad – eight or nine players – is still there, so we're looking to build around that. 'We're not going to have a huge squad, probably around 18 or 19. 'The players we're bringing in are certainly going to add quality. We've got a bit of youth, and a bit of experience. We're looking to add good legs in the midfield, to help us out. 'We need a new goalkeeper, because ours moved on, but these are things we're working on, and they're not easy to get in, because we're a bit picky. 'We want to make sure we get the right ones in, that's why we're taking our time, but I'm in no doubts that we'll get there, and we will be ready for the first game of the season.' Glens have been priced out of the market for some players, indicating what they will be up against next term. Pryce said: 'The finance that is being offered by other clubs is quite simply ludicrous, for our level, but it's what they're paying. 'I don't blame the players at all – if somebody is silly enough to offer you that kind of finance, take it. 'We've just got to look after ourselves, in that respect. We have our set budget, we'll work within that, and we'll make sure we're competitive in that top division.' Glencairn have announced three pre-season friendlies, starting at Thorn Athletic on Wednesday, July 9, Petershill on July 12, and Glenrothes on Saturday, July 19, the 50th anniversary of their Scottish Junior Cup final. Pryce said: 'There's no reason for them all being away from home, it's just those are the dates available. 'We have a couple of bounce games in-between as well, to help us out.'
