Stirling Albion return to cinch League 2 business on October 30 with a top-of-the-table clash against leaders Kelty Hearts at New Central Park.
The Binos beat Berwick Rangers 2-1 in the Scottish Cup at the weekend, with defender Jordan McGregor scoring an injury-time winner after Aidan Denholm had cancelled out Dylan Mackin’s opener but the result was harsh on the hosts, who deserved a replay.
Stirling are sitting in second place in cinch League 2 after a run of seven league games without defeat, the most recent of which was a 1-1 draw against Stranraer 10 days ago.
Kelty are still unbeaten after winning promotion to the SPFL and have a six-point advantage at the summit. Kevin Thomson’s men were 3-1 winners at Forthbank in August and dismissed Buckie Thistle 4-1 in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Albion will face Tranent Juniors at the end of next month after squeezing past Berwick at Shielfield but the immediate focus is a big game on the artificial surface in Fife this weekend.
Skipper Ross McGeachie and midfielder Ray Grant are closing in on a return after injury, with both hopefully being able to train this week. Striker Dale Carrick will be assessed after missing the Berwick match with a groin strain that he picked up at training last week.
Adam Cummins was forced off at Shielfield with a similar problem while fellow defender Martin McNiff was also in the wars after being caught by keeper Andy McNeil.
Rutkiewicz said: “It was a very even game against Berwick and both sides had chances. There was a lack of quality about the game but we are in the hat and that’s what it’s all about. We didn’t deserve to win but we certainly didn’t deserve to lose either and the players found a way to get through.
“I thought Jordan McGregor was a real leader for us on a day when we weren’t at our best and no-one deserved the winning goal more than him, but we have to give Dylan Bikey a lot of credit for the way he protected the ball and set Jordan up.
“We’ve been a real threat from set-pieces this season and that is important because it is something we didn’t do well enough from in the past. It’s a tool we need and it’s helping us pick up points and win games but we want to be more potent from general play.”
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Looking ahead to Saturday’s match with Kelty, Rutkiewicz said: “It’s a good game and it’s the ones you want to be involved in. It’s a top-of-the-table clash and we have a wee bit to prove against Kelty because we didn’t turn up the last time. We need to play much better than we did that day and that is the most important thing.
“We are going there to try and win the game – that will be difficult because they are top of the league, and they are there for a reason, but hopefully we can burst their bubble.”
