Rutherglen Glencairn boss Willie Harvey hailed his patchwork side after a 2-0 win at Bonnyton Thistle all-but secured their West of Scotland First Division status.
Harvey reckons victory over his old club Blantyre Vics at the KG Stadium tonight (Wednesday) or at the Hamish B. Allan Stadium on Saturday will keep ninth-placed Glens up, with at least a game to spare.
The Glens gaffer reckons they’re probably safe already with Rossvale relegated, Bonnyton effectively down, and too many teams below them needing to win games – and with several having played more games.
Seven players were unavailable for Saturday’s clash at Bonnyton Thistle from the 1-0 defeat at home to Shotts on Wednesday night, with under-21s player Dylan Collins drafted in.
That proved to be a master-stroke, as he netted the second goal, adding to Michael Lone’s header and securing a crucial three points, despite Tam Miller’s red card for two bookings 30 minutes from the end.
Harvey said: “I’d like to think that’s us more or less there, though it’s not mathematical.
“When you look at Cumbernauld, Whitletts, Neilston, Bonnyton and all the other ones round about, there are so many that it’s going to be so hard for them all to reach 35 points.
“We’ve really put two places to bed already, with Rossvale and Bonnyton, and the likes of Neilston, Cumbernauld and Whitletts all have each other to play so it would be difficult for them all to get to 35 points.
“I’m pretty confident that we’re okay.
“If we win against Vics on Wednesday that’s it secured, 100 per cent – there’s no ifs or buts about it. The sooner we can put it to bed the better, that’s it done.
“Then we can concentrate on the Scottish Junior Cup final and use the last two games of the season – which would be Blantyre again on the Saturday, followed by Kilbirnie the following week, to get other players games and get ourselves set up for the final.”
Harvey says it was a gritty performance from his side to take the win from a Bonnyton side that needed the points.
He added: “We rolled up the sleeves and got on with it, and I really can’t praise the players enough for how they reacted to adversity.
“I was really pleased, and we couldn’t have asked any more of them.
“Bonnyton are fighting for their lives, they knew this was last-chance saloon, that if we beat them, they couldn’t catch us. That’s one more team that can’t get towards us, so we hope that Cumbernauld and Whitletts Vics don’t pick up any more points.”
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