Martin: I was right to farm out Rovers’ great Scott

Oct 22 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

PAUL MARTIN has defended his decision to send first-choice goalie David Scott to Brechin City.

The Albion Rovers chief allowed the 20-year-old shot-stopper to head for Second Division football at Glebe Park.

Brechin back-up Chris McCluskey has travelled in the opposite direction as part of the loan swap and kept a clean sheet on his debut in the 0-0 draw with Forfar Athletic on Saturday.

Some fans have been left puzzled by Martin’s thinking but the manager told the Advertiser that Rovers will benefit both now and in the long-term.

He said: “We feel that David needs to gain a little bit more experience and letting him go to Brechin will give him the chance of working closely with Craig Nelson and Alan Main.

“Chris is a good keeper who is number two at Brechin. Now he will get his chance to shine and we think this deal works for everyone.

“There is a suggestion it isn’t good for David but this is an opportunity for a young player to remain with the club but continue his development which will benefit us.

“I was pleased with Chris at the weekend. He handled his box well and I think the back four enjoyed playing in front of him.”

Martin also moved to snap up young striker Graham Eaglesham on-loan from Partick Thistle.

The gaffer added: “He is our type of player, he is energetic, enthusiastic and has a good eye for a goal. He came on against Forfar and did really well.”

The road to Hampden begins for Rovers this weekend when they travel to Berwick Rangers in the second round of the Scottish Cup.

Martin is desperate to mastermind a run in the competition that would generate much-needed income and enhance the club’s name on the national stage.

But Rovers could be missing one of their key weapons again with Bobby Barr struggling to shake off an ankle injury.

The manager added: “We want to progress in the cup so we can show that we are a better team.

“Bobby has improved dramatically over the past week but we don’t know if he will be ready for this one.”

Tony Mitchell will don the gloves in place of the on-loan McCluskey with midfielder Steven Canning also cup-tied.

Martin hopes to get permission from Partick and Raith Rovers to play Eaglesham and Todd Lumsden respectively.