Albion Rovers boss aims to finish poor season on a high

Mar 26 2008 Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

JOHN McCormack is desperate to end the season on a high despite accepting that Albion Rovers’ play-off dreams are over.

The Cliftonhill boss has been pushing for a top-four spot all season but successive home draws against Elgin and Stranraer have ended their hopes.

But with five games remaining and contracts up for grabs, Cowboy wants an exciting end to the campaign.

He said: “We want to try and get as many points on board as possible.

“Fans pay their money to see us play and we owe it to them to try and win every game that’s left.

“There will certainly be no let-up from us.

“It’s been a difficult season for us in terms of injury and we’ve struggled to get any rhythm but overall I can’t fault the players’ attitudes.

“Again on Saturday, especially in the first half, we created chances and played some good football.”

Last week keeper David Scott and defender Alan Benton signed new deals at the club and Cowboy now has a nucleus of a squad which he hopes will challenge next season.

He said: “We’ve always had one eye on next season and we’ve signed players that we feel can do a job for us. “Hopefully, with the additions we are able to bring in during the summer, we will be in good shape for next season.”

Brian Smith, Willie Martin and Callan Adam are out injured and will miss Saturday’s trip to face East Stirling.

Rovers have not won in eight games and Cowboy is hoping to put that right against the league’s bottom side.

He added: “It’s a bit of a local derby and a match we’re looking forward to.

“They’ve got a new management team and I’m sure they will be well up for it.”