Latest news with #WestofScotlandPremierDivision
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss relishes Pollok clash as 'why we fought for promotion'
Joe Pryce reckons Pollok are the biggest club at their level Joe Pryce says Rutherglen Glencairn face a cup final on Saturday as they host giants Pollok – and that's why they fought to be in the West of Scotland Premier Division. Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hurlford left Glens with a point from their two games in the top flight so far, and co-boss Pryce says it's a step up from last season in the First Division. He said: 'We know we've got another stiff test on Saturday, and you're in this league to play against the biggest clubs. 'No matter how much money other clubs have, Pollok are still the biggest club at this level, and that's our first home game in this league. 'That's where you want to be. If anybody talks about teams at this level, the first team that comes up is Pollok, closely followed by Auchinleck Talbot. 'That's the task we face on Saturday, it's the first home game of the season and it will be a good day for us, so hopefully we can get a positive result. 'There's no time to feel sorry for yourself in this league, because there's just another big name coming round the corner. 'We dust ourselves off, we know we let ourselves down, and have to improve, so us as coaching staff have to find a solution. 'We were disappointed on Saturday, especially with our first-half performance, when we felt we let ourselves down a wee bit. 'We were a wee bit better in the second half, but it's the Premier Division, and if you're off it slightly you give yourself a mountain to climb – and we did.' Pryce added: 'If you're 2-0 down at half-time to seasoned Premier club like Hurlford, it's difficult to get back in. 'In the First Division last year we won quite a few games 3-2, came back late on to get a 2-2 draw or something, but you're not going to do that in the Premier League. 'That's a lesson learned, and thankfully it has came in the second game.' Pryce hopes to add at least one more face to his squad, and says the loans market is an angle he's pursuing. He said: 'There's one that is going to be coming in this week, but he's a loan signing, so we need to wait for the other club to be ready. We're still looking, but it's not easy. The finance is the problem. 'It takes hard work from the players and staff, but that's the design we have, and we'll stand or fall by the principles we have.'
Daily Record
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
East Kilbride put former Hamilton Accies ace on transfer list
Reegan Mimnaugh is looking for a new club Midfielder Reegan Mimnaugh is set to leave East Kilbride after being transfer listed. The 23-year-old former Hamilton Accies man, who has experience of playing in the Premiership, joined Kilby last July and helped the club to the Lowland League title last term. He has featured in all four of Kilby's competitive matches so far this term, but after Saturday's 3-1 loss to Spartans in their League Two opener, the club announced on their social media page that he is available for sale. Mimnaugh - who is contracted until the end of the the 2025/26 campaign - has been blighted by injury in recent seasons, but was seen as a coup of a signing by boss Mick Kennedy when he arrived at the club. Kennedy told Lanarkshire Live Sport: "We just had a chat a couple of weeks ago and decided that the best thing was for Reegan to move on. "We gave him a bit of time to try and sort something himself but nothing materialised. "It was a decision made about 10 days ago, so we hope he can find a new opportunity." The news comes shortly after fellow midfielder, Luke Main, partedcompany with East Kilbride to join Westof Scotland Premier Division outfit Auchinleck Talbot. A club statement read: 'East Kilbride Football Club can confirm the transfer of Luke Main to Auchinleck Talbot. Everyone at the club would like to thank Luke for his service and wish him every success for the future.' Main made his Talbot debut in a 4-0win over Pollok and also helped the Ayrshire side to a 4-2 win at Arthurlie atthe weekend, from the start.
Daily Record
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Former Dundee United hero stings Shotts with late leveller in opener with Glenafton
John McKeown was left cursing the quality of Chris Erskine as his side almost walked away with a win Former Dundee United hero Chris Erskine came back to haunt Shotts boss John McKeown on Saturday, but he felt a draw was fair against Glenafton Athletic. Taylor Evans had the hosts ahead 19 minutes into their West of Scotland Premier Division curtain-raiser, but Erskine climbed off the bench to net a screamer with three minutes left and take a share of the spoils. At 38, McKeown says Erskine is still a cut above the rest. He said: 'I think a point is a fair reflection, and the difference was them bring on a real bit of quality in Chris Erskine, who did it last year against us as well. 'He came on and scored the winner in the league game away to Glenafton last season, and in the home game we were in the lead and he set up the equaliser. 'On Saturday he scored an absolute screamer, so you just have to tip your hat to that, and say it's a guy who has been at the top level, playing in the Premier League. 'Without being disrespectful to our boys, he's just that wee bit of class above, and he's probably a class above most players in that league, despite his age. 'He's looked after himself and he's a phenomenal player. His goal was an absolute screamer, and he's probably the only player on the park that could have done that. 'It was probably a fair outcome if I'm being honest. We started the game a little bit better than them, got our noses in front, but there wasn't a lot in it at half-time, there weren't a great deal of chances. 'We did look dangerous when we were loading their box with set-pieces and stuff, but a typical nervy first game back, and both teams probably had a couple of players missing due to holidays, and injuries. 'But in the second half Glenafton probably controlled the game, and although the equaliser was late on in the game, if I'm honest it was coming.' McKeown was glad to get back to competitive games, as they prepare to host a Largs Thistle side on Saturday that he feels will be challenging for honours. 'It was good to get back, and it did come a wee bit early for us, because we've had a wee bit of a rebuild job to do,' said McKeown. 'But some of the new boys showed up well. Marc McKenzie was fantastic, our goalkeeper Chris Henry had a good game, young Codi Stark, who's on loan from Livingston was excellent, and Dylan McGuigan was good. 'We were bedding in four or five new players, which is never easy, and I felt we did okay, but we've got miles to go. 'I think Glenafton and Largs are two teams that will be up there in the top half of the table, I have no doubt about that, so it's a decent enough start. 'But Largs lost to Cumnock on Saturday, so they'll be looking to get themselves off the mark. 'We just need to look after ourselves, and hopefully the boys are a bit closer, in terms of match-fitness, and getting to know one another, probably more importantly! 'Last year we were maybe four or five games in before we got our first point, so it's a better start. We have a whole new squad, and it's going to take a wee bit of time, but I saw a lot of positives on Saturday.'
Daily Record
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn 0 Drumchapel United 0: Pryce praises players for holding big-spending rivals in opener
Glencairn battled out a stalemate in their first game back in the West of Scotland Premier Division Joe Pryce hailed his side's battling performance as they drew 0-0 at big-spending Drumchapel United, and said that's the standard they must hit every week. Glens went toe-to-toe with Drum in their West of Scotland Premier Division opener at Dewar Park, and Pryce reckons they might have got something out of the game with a bit more bite up front. New signing Josh Gemmell nearly made an impact on his debut, but was denied by United keeper Sam Gibson. Neither keeper had a save to make in the first half, with Bradley Rodden and Kieran Moore off-target for Drumchapel, while Danny Smith blazed over for the visitors. Drumchapel's Carlo Monti curled a free kick inches wide in the second half, and Lewis McTaggart hit the outside of Blair Lochhead's post. Glencairn went close when Ryan McManus rattled the crossbar, and Gibson saved well from Gemmell. Co-boss Pryce said: 'We're going to have to perform at the level we did on Saturday for the next 29 games to get anything out of them. 'We started off with a point, it's a good thing to build on, you get yourself off the mark in your first game – but it's only a start, and we have another 29 really tough games to go. 'There were no failures in the team. I was really pleased with the goalkeeper and the back-line to keep a clean sheet. 'The midfield three worked tirelessly throughout the game, and up front the lads really worked hard, and showed a bit of quality as well. 'They were brave and courageous on the ball, they were wanting to take it in tight areas, so I was pleased with them. 'It was a good performance. In your first game back in the Premier League after a while, against a good side like Drumchapel, who have recruited really well over the summer, the first thing we had to do was show that we could compete, and they certainly did that. 'I thought we were excellent, especially in the first half. Our shape and our structure were fine, in terms of keeping the ball we were doing well, but we just lacked that wee bit of a cutting edge up front. 'We lost quite a few players from our front line last season, Jack McIlveen, Scott Jarvie and Boris Melingui, so you're talking over 30 goals, and we're looking to recruit in that area.' Glens came up from the First Division last season by finishing in the promotion spots and Pryce was impressed with how his side quickly got to grips withe the step up. He added: 'It was our first game back in the Premier League and we kept a clean sheet against a good side in Drumchapel, with real firepower up front, so you've got to be happy with that. 'It's great to be back at that level, we've fought hard to get there, so we have to make sure we try and compete. 'Lots of teams are spending quite a few pounds at this level, Drumchapel are not the only ones – every game we play in this division is going to be tough. 'But that's why you're in this division, to play against the big guns every week.'
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss is looking to strengthen
The club are preparing for life in the West of Scotland Premier Division Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss Joe Pryce expects to add a goalkeeper after signing striker Josh Gemmell from Caledonian Braves. The 20-year-old, who signed on Tuesday morning, and is a graduate of Morton's youth set-up, was one of two trialists who played in Saturday's friendly at Glenrothes to mark the 50th anniversary of the sides meeting in the Scottish Junior Cup final. Glenrothes won 1-0 on both occasions, and was the final warm-up as Glens kick off their West of Scotland Premier Division campaign at Drumchapel United on Saturday. Pryce said: 'The reason they were trialists is purely because the forms hadn't gone through yet, but these boys will be joining us, that's for sure. 'At this time of year everything takes a bit longer, because everybody's putting paperwork in at the same time. 'But we had five of the under-20s up with us, helping us out. We had a few players missing through work commitments and holidays, but we made sure we participated in that celebration, because it was important. 'It was more about the occasion than the game, about celebrating the players from 50 years ago from both sets of clubs. 'The minute they invited us up, we were always going to go. It was a good day, the piper piping the old players onto the pitch, the Provost Jim Leishman being there – it was a terrific day, a great occasion, and something we're very proud to be part of. ' Pryce expects a fierce challenge from a Drumchapel side he reckons will be challenging for the title this season. He said: 'Pre-season has been excellent and we're ready for a really tough game on Saturday. 'Drumchapel are a good side, you can see some of the signings they've made, and they've added real quality to their team. 'They finished well last season in the top half of the table, and they'll be looking to go better than that. They're aiming for the top spot, and with the players they've signed, they should be. 'We're as prepared as we're going to be. We could have done with a few more bodies in the door, but they've got to be the right type. 'If we need to wait three or four weeks into the season to get them in, that's what we'll do. • Glencairn lost 3-1 in a friendly against Queen's Park under-19s at the Spiders' Lochinch training facility, with Ants Maguire getting the visitors' goal.
