Glencairn: We won’t be held to ransom

Jul 1 2009 by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer

RESHAPING the Glens squad has been taking some twists and turns over the preseason.

Many players have been brought in as the New Southcroft side seek to compete in the super league first division.

However as new players arrive, some have departed including ex-vice captain Willie Galloway.

Speaking from sunny Tenerife, co-manager Scott Smith revealed that Jamie Prunty has been slapped on the transfer list as the Glens were not prepared to meet his new wage demands: “Jamie Prunty is now on the transfer list. He’s looking to move on so any interested party are more than welcome to phone Alex Forbes on that one.

“He was looking for far too much money to be honest, we’re not prepared to start paying money out hand over fist for players so he can go get it else where.

“He did well from us though and it’s disappointing that he’s gone elsewhere for money but it’s entirely up to him.”

With Willie Galloway also parting ways with the club Scott insists the Glens will not shell out money for players they cannot afford.

He added: “We’re not going to try and kid on we can get it (money) from somewhere. The bottom line is we’re not prepared to give these guys a fortune when we’ve got other guys in the team who are equally as good players and are happy to stay for decent money.

“We have a good team together and to start paying guys far too much money can start a bit of unrest in the changing rooms and we don’t want to go down that route.

“But we wish them all the best and hope their careers go okay so there’s no fallout, but we can’t be throwing money at players.

“There’s a good team spirit and we want to keep it that way.

“Players come and go, that’s the nature of game, we’ve got players here capable of replacing them so we’ll get by.

“We brought in about 13 or 14 players last season and they all adapted reasonably quickly but this year is going to be a tough, tough season for us and hopefully we’ve got it right on the transfer front with the boys we’ve brought in.”

The Glens have only recently started back training and Scott is keen for the new boys to mix in with the squad: “We want to get the new guys in and let them get a feel of the place. They need to mix with the current squad.

“There will still be a couple of guys on holiday, like myself, but there will be a good turnout.

Scott and Willie’s boys will be starting out their league campaign with a tricky tie against Cumnock. They will be lining up against none other than former vice captain Wullie Galloway.

Scott concluded “We’ve got some good fixtures that came out of their as well our first league game I believe is Cumnock. Hopefully we’ll prove them wrong and show him that he’s made a big mistake!”

Speaking exclusively to the Reformer Willie Galloway revealed his reasons for leaving the club.

He said: “I was offered a deal to go to Cumnock and financially they were offering me a much better deal.

“I spoke to the Glens and I was honest with them and I made them aware of the situation.

“I asked them for some money, what I thought I was worth, but sadly they couldn’t afford that.

“They are a massive club and it’s a new challenge for me.

“I could have taken the safer option and stayed in Rutherglen but I took up the challenge of going to Cumnock.

“It will be tough for the travel and things like that but I like a challenge.“