14-05-2025
Shotts boss on why he'll be a Clydebank fan for next fortnight as side face relegation sweat
John McKeown's side have finished outside the relegation zone in the West of Scotland Premier Division but could still go down
Shotts boss John McKeown admits they face a nervy waiting game to avoid relegation - despite victory on the final day of the season keeping them out of the drop zone in the West of Scotland Premier Division.
McKeown's men came from behind at home to Gartcairn on Saturday with Liam Craig's double cancelling out Adam McGowan's opener for the visitors.
That was enough to keep Bonny out of the relegation zone in the top flight, as they finished five points clear of nearest rivals Benburb.
However, Premier champions Clydebank's potential promotion to the Lowland League means Shotts can't celebrate survival just yet.
The Bankies play East of Scotland Premier champions Musselburgh Athletic in a two-legged play-off over the next fortnight to determine who comes up to the Lowland League and if Clydebank fail, it will be bad news for Shotts.
McKeown explained: 'It is all up in the air and a strange situation. There is this situation with Clydebank being promoted that is making it awkward.
'They have got to play Musselburgh in a play-off to go up to the Lowland League, but if they don't win it would mean they stay down. Broomhill, who finished bottom of the Lowland League, are getting relegated into our league, so if Clydebank don't go up it means that four teams would need to go down.
'It means it is a bit of a waiting game for us, which is really annoying. For me, that's not the way it should be but, unfortunately, that is the way the leagues have worked it.
'It is something the leagues need to look at, things like that need to be decided by your last game of the season, rather than sitting about waiting for a couple of weeks.
'Last season when Beith won the league, they didn't have the SFA licence to go up so there was no change, it was a lot more straightforward.
'Saturday should have been a big day of celebration after retaining our league status, so it does put a bit of a dampener on it, although we are hopeful Clydebank can do the job and go into the Lowland League.
'We will need to keep the champagne on ice and sit tight.'
Clydebank travel to Musselburgh this Saturday, followed by the return leg at Holm Park on Sunday, May 25.
And McKeown admits he will be cheering them on He added: 'I'm getting my Bankies top on as we speak! I'm just hoping they can go and do us a wee turn now.
'I don't want to curse it, but Clydebank will be the bookies' favourites. They are an excellent side and it is over two legs, so you would hope they have enough to get through. We'll certainly be supporting them.'
Shotts have pulled off quite the turnaround to finish 13th in the 16-team division, having been rock bottom at the turn of the year.
So McKeown is proud of his players, no matter what unfolds. He said: 'Our boys have done all they can do, which is massive. I am delighted for them and their form since the turn of the year has been magnificent.
'It was a bit subdued and we weren't getting carried away because they know it isn't completely 'job done' yet.
'We were dead and buried at Christmas. We had a good chat with them at that time, changed our shape and worked really hard.
'They have really stuck together. It would have been easy to chuck the towel in, but they've shown a real steely mentality and put themselves in a great position. We're really proud of them.'
