Gaffer finds positives from Rangers result
Following on from a poll conducted with Club 1881 members, it has been decided to open up access to Stuart Malcolm’s thoughts following each fixture to all fans, with a short delay to provide members exclusivity for a short period first.
In light of the ‘Gers 3-0 defeat over Rangers B at the weekend, we caught up with boss Stuart Malcolm to gather his reflections on the game.
Stuart shared: “We built ourselves into the game well. We were maybe a little fortunate that we didn’t find ourselves 1-0 down early in the game with Rangers creating opportunities in the first 5 or 6 minutes, but after that we settled in.
“We looked pretty comfortable and restricted Rangers to minimal opportunities. Calum (Antell) was called into action but he was there making saves that you’d expect him to make.
“Lewy Allan then has a great chance to give us the lead going into half-time but doesn’t quite connect with it which is maybe the story of our season, creating chances but not managing to take them.
“In the second-half there’s nothing really in the game. We should score with Liam at the back post, hitting the bar with a header. Again on another day Liam scores and there’s no question we’re going through a bit of a sticky spell in that area of the park just now.
“Quite quickly after that we cut Rangers open again, Liam finds himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper who makes a good save. We were absolutely excellent right to the 80th minute when we find ourselves giving away a free-kick on the edge of the box. It’s delivered in, there’s a free header and we find ourselves 1-0 down.
“We then have to open up, we go 4-4-2 to try get a goal and get back into the game and they quite quickly score a second goal.
“And in terms of refereeing, we really disappointed with the third goal. Calum is out kicking a rogue ball which has made it’s way onto the pitch out of the park. Rangers are allowed to take the throw-in, the ‘keeper can’t get back across to do his job or affect the game and they put the ball into the back of the net.
“So we ended on a disappointing note, but if we apply ourselves like that for the rest of the season, we’ll improve. I was really happy with what we were able to do up until the 80th minute and that’s both defensively and attacking-wise.
“We know we made chances we should be scoring goals from, there’s no question about that, but the pleasing thing is that we are making them. It’s something we’ve struggled with since the Linlithgow game, not taking the opportunities that we’re creating. It’s not just one or two but an abundance of them and we’re still managing to do that against quality sides like Rangers.
“So we go into the game against Cowdenbeath next week, we’ll train hard this week and we’ll get ourselves ready for it. I’m looking forward to the fixture and if we apply ourselves with the same intensity, concentration and quality as we showed on Saturday then we should set ourselves up well for a good afternoon.”
As above, the ‘Gers will take on Cowdenbeath in Lowland League action for the first time this weekend. The fixture will take place at Shielfield Park and kick-off at 3:00pm, with usual admission prices of £10 adults, £5 concessions and under 12’s going free with a paying adult. We hope to see you there!
