Key signings in bid to avoid drop

Published 11 Feb 2010 09:36 0 Comments

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UP FOR THE FIGHT: Manager Bobby Crilly believes his side has what it takes to avoid relegation

By Kristian Truelsen

BOBBY Crilly has continued the rebuilding of his Neilston side this week and insisted the team are improving every week.

Crilly has already snapped up ex-Arthurlie striker Charlie Hobbs and is set to add veteran Ally McMillan to his squad to continue their fight to avoid relegation.

And despite missing out on former St Mirren and Renfrew keeper Scott Strang last week, the Brig O'Lea boss revealed he hopes to strengthen his squad further in the coming weeks with more experienced players.

He said: "We are well equipped at the moment and we had 21 players available on Saturday. We are definitely stronger than we were a few months ago.

"The players have come on leaps and bounds since I came in and even players who weren't getting a game under the previous manager have improved.

"Charlie Hobbs has been an excellent signing. He scored against Kilsyth but in truth he could have scored four or five that day.

"He is an experienced player with a lot of knowledge about other players in the junior game.

"We shook hands with Scott Strang but he is away to another club. He was out of football for four months and we were the only team who had shown an interest in him.

"But when other clubs found out he was available they made enquiries about him and he is away to another club.

"It's disappointing but when a player shakes hands on a deal but leaves then maybe you think it is for the best because he isn't really committed to the club.

"But the goalkeeping position is something we are looking at. Because of games being called off we haven't been able to involve Ally McMillan but he will certainly make a contribution.

"I hope to bring in one or two other players from the Premier League who aren't getting a game for their club.

"We needed to have a bit more experience in the dressing room and they are showing some of the younger players what you need to be a top junior footballer."

Neilston's league clash with Ashfield was controversially called off on Saturday because of a frozen pipe at Saracen Park leaving the club without washing facilities.

Crilly insisted his team should ignore the league table even though relegation rivals Dalry took advantage of the Farmer's Boys' postponement by securing a 3-0 win against Maybole.

He said: "It was frustrating the game was called off because it was a nice day and every other team in the west region played on Saturday.

"We offered them to use our shower facilities after the game but they refused.

"And we also offered to have the game played at Brig O'Lea with Ashfield keeping the gate receipts but they refused that as well. Dalry won but I'm not bothered about what other teams do. I have told the players to forget about what other teams are doing and not look at the league table.

"I suppose it is human nature that players will look at other results. The fact is we will have good weeks and bad weeks where results go against us or for us.

"If we can win three out of four matches then we will move up the table and at the end of March we can look and see where we are."

Weather permitting, Neilston take on Ashfield at Saracen Park at 2pm. The bus for Neilston fans will be leaving Brig O'Lea at noon on Saturday.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 10 Feb 10

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