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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Gartcairn gear up for friendlies as co-boss eyes WoSFL First Division title this term
The Airdrie club are looking to bounce straight back to the top flight and start preparation on Saturday in a friendly with Lowland League Broxburn Athletic Gartcairn have lined up five pre-season friendlies as they prepare for a West of Scotland First Division title tilt. The Airdrie club host Broxburn Athletic on Saturday and then travel to Cowdenbeath on July 5, and welcome Edinburgh City to MTC Park three days later. Camelon are visitors on Saturday, July 12, before Gartcairn head to Musselburgh on July 19. Co-boss Ryan McStay, who works alongside Darren Barr, is delighted with their programme. He said: 'We've got five friendlies lined up, which is a really good test for us that we're looking forward to. 'It will be a really good gauge on where the squad is. 'Things are looking really well, we're singing off the same hymn sheet, and can't wait to get started. 'We need to start the season well and we'll be hoping to challenge for the league. 'Darvel have retained a few of their top performers, and the likes of St Roch's have recruited well. 'There will be other teams that will look at it and think it's a season to try things, with eight teams going up. 'We've signed a few young boys, trying to give them experience and blood them in to the team. But we're still going to try and win the league.' McStay says Gartcairn definitely have their stamp on them, and is eager to get going. 'When me and Darren came in it wasn't really our team in the last six games, but we've kept the boys we really wanted to,' he said. 'That's a solid base from last season, and we've done our work over the last few months. 'We've missed out on a few targets. We missed out on Paul Frize and Robbie Scullion [both from Beith], because we've dropped down from the top league. 'But we want players who want to come and play for us. We've signed a few that have a lot of experience in the West of Scotland and the senior game as well.' Meanwhile, McStay has parted company with six players over the past few weeks. Goalkeeper Kieran Hughes, defenders Ryan Lockie and Scott Rumsby have departed alongside forward trio Kenny Barr, Ross Caldwell and Robert Thomson. A club statement read: 'As the squad get ready for the hard work ahead, we'd like to say a massive thanks to the players moving on to pastures new. Thank you from everyone at the club all the best for the future.'
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Gartcairn boss glad season is over as relegated club plan for next term
Co-boss Ryan McStay saw his side slump to a 2-1 defeat at Shotts in their final top flight game this season Gartcairn co-boss Ryan McStay admits he is glad the season is over after his relegated side let a lead slip again in their final game of the Premier Division campaign at Shotts. The Airdrie outfit, who were hit with fatal 15-point deduction earlier in the season due to them fielding an ineligible players, took the lead at Hannah Park through a stunning Adam McGowan free-kick to give them hope of ending a nightmare season on a high. But the hosts fought back to turn the game on its head with Liam Craig's second half double. And McStay, who only took the reins with Darren Barr in March after they replaced Mick Dunlop, said: 'Shotts had something to play for and we didn't, but it was a typical end of season game. 'There was a lack of quality until Gowser stepped up and put a stunning free-kick over the wall for us to take the lead. 'That is the third time we've been away from home and taken the lead, yet not held on to it. 'Shotts pegged us back and when we went for the winner, they've caught us on the counter attack. 'We were 1-0 up and their first goal comes from our mistake. The whole game Shotts were putting long throws into the box and we dealt with that well, but one time it fell for them and the boy has called it in. 'It is frustrating that we've taken leads and not been able to see it out so that is something we need to work on with the new players we will be bringing in. 'I'm glad the season is over with. The boys have given us everything over the six games we've been in for, but now it is up to me and Daz to hit the ground running with our pre-season plans, getting the right boys in and the right blend of experience and youth in. 'Getting the right characters in is a big part of a changing room now so we need to make sure they all get on well off the park as well.' This season may be over, but the work doesn't stop for McStay and Barr. They are busy preparing for the teams' return for pre-season training on Saturday, June 14 and talks have started with new and current players for the campaign in the First Division. He added: 'We are giving the boys five weeks off, but they'll have pre-season running plans that we will track. They will be sending us their progress so we can keep on top of it.' 'We've outlined our plans to the players and they know the budget has been cut, so we've made offers to the boys in the squad that we want to keep. It is up to them to come back to us now with an answer because we can't wait forever.' McStay has revealed they will hold talks with three potential new signings this week as they get to work for next season in the West of Scotland First Division. He added: 'We are meeting three players this week and it will be down to us to sell the club to them and playing in the First Division. 'We will try to sell our plans and what the committee wants to do, and hope they buy into it.'
