Rutherglen Glencairn assistant manager Joe Pryce says boss Willie Harvey could return to training next week after a battle with Covid.
Pryce was in the dugout again as his side grabbed a dramatic point in the West of Scotland Premier Division last Saturday.
Trailing Beith Juniors 3-1 away from home, Michael Lone and Drew Wingate both struck in stoppage time to claim a 3-3 draw.
Glencairn sit 12th in the 20-team league. There’s a further boost as Harvey closes in on his return to the dugout.
“He’s getting stronger each day,” said Pryce. “I speak to him pretty much every day now. You can hear it in his voice.
“He’s hoping to be back in training, maybe not this week, but certainly next week. Whether he’s full on or not, he will be free to take his time.
“The most important thing is that he returns fit and healthy. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Pryce says the Beith draw shows the determination within the Glencairn squad.
Their next match is against Rossvale this Saturday and Pryce believes the team have shown their will to succeed, even in adverse circumstances.
“The one thing we can say about our performance is that it was a really gutsy showing from the players,” said Pryce.
“If you are 3-1 down away from home, in the 90th minute, to have the self-belief you can get something out the game shows real character. They fought hard. You have got to dig in.
“We were really delighted with the point. The players never give it up and that is evident. Every point in this division is precious. By gaining one point, we moved up a place. That is the way it’s going to be. But there’s a long way to go.”
The home match with Rossvale - which has an earlier kick-off time of 1pm with Scotland set to face Israel at 5pm - could prove crucial.
Only six points separate seventh place Irvine Meadow and Cumbernauld Colts in 15th, and Pryce can see the table beginning to form.
“We can see where we are – we’re mid-table,” Rutherglen’s assistant adds.
“The table is beginning to take shape. We knew who would be at the top of the league before the season started.
“We aren’t too far off seventh and eighth, but we also aren’t far away from 16th and 17th. If you lose a couple of games, you’re going to drop a few places. If you win a couple, you’ll move up a few.
“It’s a marathon and there’s still over 20 games left. Rossvale have been doing well recently and it will be another tough game for us - as there’s no easy games in this league.
“It doesn’t matter if they are below you or above you – and our lads are aware of that now.
“They know how tough it is and they know they are going to be on it every week. If the players aren’t, then we are going to lose football matches.”
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