23-05-2025
Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss already planning for Premier Division after sealing promotion
Joe Pryce says he needs to strengthen one key area for life in the top flight
Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss Joe Pryce was delighted to seal promotion on Saturday, but is already rebuilding for life in the West of Scotland Premier Division.
A 1-0 win at Blantyre Vics sealed second spot in the First Division, and Glens make the step-up as league top-scorers on 81, but also having conceded more than either of their fellow promoted teams Renfrew and Arthurlie, with 47.
It's that back-line that will be the focus of player searches, and Pryce is certainly not resting on any laurels.
He said: 'You're in with the big guns and we're just going to enjoy the moment just now.
'But we'll get in this week and we'll be working hard on recruiting.
'There will be a few players at our club moving on, it happens every year, so we've got to try and recruit in the right areas of the team.
'Last season we knew that goal-scoring was the Achilles heel for us, because we didn't score enough – Ryan McManus was the only player to reach double figures.
'We knew we had to address that, which we did, bringing in Jack McIlveen and Scott Jarvie, who both managed to hit double figures as well.
'We're the league's top goal-scorers, but we perhaps need to look at the other end, because we did concede too many.
'We know we're not going to score that amount of goals in the top division, so we need to keep the back door shut, and that's probably where we're going to be looking to recruit for.'
Pryce says promotion was a reward for the whole club, and praised the team's consistency.
He said: 'Even in the times when we maybe weren't winning, we were still picking up a point, it wasn't as if we were losing all the time, and it keeps that scoreboard ticking over – and in the end, those points that we picked up ended up being really crucial.
'It has been a tough season, but it was always going to be, and I'm really pleased and proud of my whole club because they've been fantastic.
'We have a small but loyal group of fans who follow us everywhere, so it's reward for them.
'Our hard-working committee were rewarded as well, I've got the best general manager in Willie Harvey that anybody could ask for, he has been so supportive, rock-solid behind the management team since day one. Anything we want he's there for us, and he has been absolutely brilliant.
'Last but not least, my management team – my co-boss Billy Ogilvie, Tam Miller, Stevie Hutchison – I'm really fortunate to be working with them, and for such a good club.
'We were absolutely delighted on Saturday to get it over the line, though it was a wee bit nervy.
'The players stood strong, and that was the most important thing. Their concentration levels were fantastic, and that got us over the line.
'I'm so pleased for them. I'm delighted for Glencairn, because I know how hard everybody at the club works, and they've got their reward.'
