Shotts gaffer fires warning ahead of Premier Division opener
John McKeown has warned his Shotts side they must stop taking their foot off the gas in games as they prepare for their West of Scotland Premier Division opener this weekend.
The Hannah Park boss watched the Bonny blow a 3-0 half-time lead to draw 3-3 with Blantyre Vics on Saturday in their final friendly match of pre-season, where goals from Marc McKenzie, Liam Craig and Kieran McGuire appeared to put them on easy street.
That came off the back of his side easing up in the recent friendly wins over Fauldhouse and Thorniewood.
But a tougher test awaits on Saturday when Glenafton Athletic come calling (kick-off 2pm) in their top flight opener and McKeown has told his players he isn't happy with their recent habit.
He said: 'It has been a wee bit of a pattern in our pre-season, starting really well and doing well for the first half hour, then taking our foot off the gas. At Fauldhouse we were 5-0 up and then it finished 5-1, at Thorniewood we were 3-0 up and it finished 3-2, although in those ones we were bringing on kids.
'But on Saturday there was no excuse for it because we never made that many changes.
'I could accept the other two but on Saturday we kept the team strong because we had been taking our foot off the gas - and we still conceded three! I was quite annoyed by that.
'We are missing seven or eight players due to holidays but they will be back this week.
'It is about ironing out this bad habit because the first 45 minutes on Saturday was the best football I've seen us play at Hannah Park in a long time. We looked great, we praised the boys at half-time and then they go and do what they did, so we had a go at them. But it is better doing it now than in the league games.
'This weekend we'll play Glenafton, who are a really good side. We beat them in the West Cup last season and they beat us in the league at their place, then drew at Hannah Park.
'They've got a really experienced manager in Paul Paton, who has played at a really good level. He's really improved them over the last six months so it is going to be difficult.
'We'll need to make sure everyone works hard on the training pitch to be ready for it. I have seen a lot of positives and some really good stuff, but I have seen some negatives as well and I think we are a wee bit short in certain areas.'
McKeown revealed he is hoping to add to his squad before the weekend with defender Sam Greenwood out injured long term.
He added: 'Hopefully we have one new face in before Saturday. We've been dealt a huge blow with Sam, so we'll need to strengthen in that area.'
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