Football: Boss' delight at sixth successive win

Jan 9 2013 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

Cambuslang Rangers boss Alan Wardlaw was delighted after his side won their sixth league game in a row.

The Lang’s 2-0 win at Vale of Leven was a real boost to the club, who had identified the fixture as one of their toughest away days of the season.

And the manager said: “I couldn’t have been any happier with the dedication and the performance - they played very well.

“We’ve got ourselves into a decent run of form - that’s now six wins on the bounce, plus three wins from friendlies as well. That run of results is testament to the amount of effort the guys have into put it.

“In my pre-match talk, I said that Forth, Johnstone Burgh, Maryhill and Vale of Leven would be our toughest four away games this season, and I was delighted we got the win.

“It’s been about five years since we last won down there - the last time we won 2-1 with two goals from Kevin Ogilvie in the last two minutes. In recent years we’ve had to play down there midweek towards the end of the season, when we’ve been missing half a team. Actually, the last time we won there it was a Saturday as well.

“We went into the game without several key players who were out injured or missing through other commitments, and to get the win just shows the resilience in the team. We were without Bain and Mackie who were out injured, and Hewitt was on holiday, while McClung has been placed on the transfer list.”

The boss felt the Lang’s strength came through their shape.

Alan said: “I felt in the first half we played okay, but over the piece we were work the win, and we looked good through the spine of the team - Gavin Rushford, Mark Bishop, Andy McFarlane, Gordon Dick and Thomas Kilmartin.

“We put Andy McFarlane into central midfield and moved Adam Boyle back as he’d gone off the boil, and Andy had one of his best games for the club.”

Alan added: “What was really refreshing was that on Saturday, we had players who didn’t get stripped to sit on the bench, but their attitude was spot-on as they were there to support the rest of the guys.

“They put the club before themselves, cheering their team-mates, and that’s exactly what you’re looking for from your squad, as it was really nice to see.

“I can understand people are disappointed when they’re not picked, but in all my days in football, I’ve never seen a manager change his mind because a player had a petted lip.”

One player who has left the club is Danny Simpson.

Alan said: “He has asked to be released as he wasn’t happy about sitting on the bench - I felt he was as bit premature about it, but he’s gone back to playing amateur.

“We had two friendlies arranged last month, and he wasn’t able to play in either of them - ironically, if he’d done well in either of them he would have been in the starting line-up.”