BRFC TV: Coughlin pleased to hear his players showing leadership

Berwick boss John Coughlin has revealed that members of his squad took the initiative at half-time of Berwick’s 1-1 draw with Clyde, with some stern words being exchanged at the break.

Stephen Thomson netted his 5th of the season yesterday

Though the ‘Gers nicked an equaliser just before the half-time whistle, Coughlin revealed that he could hear experienced full-back Kevin McKinlay demanding more from his teammates prior to delivering his own half-time team talk.

“I was quite happy. One or two of the players came in at half-time and said a few words for the first time this season, and that was quite interesting.

“It doesn’t matter what they say, but it’s pleasing knowing we have players with the courage to get into the changing rooms and mix it up.”

“I actually gave Kevin McKinlay a wee kiss on the head,” Coughlin joked. “I could hear him having a little bit of a shout and ball from my office and obviously that maybe set the tone for a bit of a rant and a rave at half-time from me at the lack of conviction and passive nature of our first-half performance.”

Coughlin clearly believes that the words exchanged helped to motivate the squad to an improved second-half showing, as he continues: “We played with 3 in the middle of the park when they had 2, and you wouldn’t have known it.

“We changed things up a little, reverting to two banks of four, and we started to win those first balls. Right from the stroke of half-time we got ourselves a foothold in the match.”

Coughlin also discusses Sean Brennan’s performance from the bench after first choice ‘keeper Kevin Walker was forced off with injury, how he’ll be approaching the handling of Michael McKenna’s 3rd red card of the season, player recruitment and more.