2 days ago
Shotts boss says 'having a go' worked well as they avoided Premier League drop
John McKeown's side were on a good run of form at the end of the season
Shotts boss John McKeown reckons having a go in games worked well for them, and hopes his side continue that form into next season's West of Scotland Premier League.
The Hannah Park side ended with 11 points from a possible 18 in their last six games, as they comfortably evaded the bottom three – though Clydebank winning their Lowland League play-off saved four teams from going down.
Now that the dust has settled on their first season in the top flight, McKeown reckons they could have done things differently.
'We know what to expect, but you have to find your feet,' said McKeown.
'As a coaching and management team, I think we were a wee bit negative in the first half of the season.
'In the second half, we had a wee bit more of a go, and ended up doing quite well. In our last six games we won three, drew two and lost one, and that's good going in this league.
'Fair play to the boys, they deserve all the credit they're going to get, and hopefully they continue that form into next season.'
Shotts watched Clydebank's play-off in sponsor's pub The Two Chimneys in Uddingston, and the Bankies' promotion to the Lowland League means McKeown can plan ahead.
He said: 'I had two lists, and now I can concentrate on the Premier League one, rather than the Championship.
'That gives us a better chance to plan, going forward.
'This is our second season in the Premier League and I think that's for the first time in 30 years, or something like that.
'By hook or by crook, we've stayed there, so fair play to the boys.
'We have a team spirit that I don't think many clubs have, and I think that's what has kept us up.'
Having lost Airdrie neighbours Gartcairn to relegation last season, due to a 15-point deduction, one particular fixture stands out to McKeown, who said: 'Glencairn are my local team, I was born in Rutherglen, so that's another wee derby.'
Last week the club announced that a number of players have signed up again for the new season
Taylor Evans, Josh Gracie and Paul Byrne have joined Ally Small, Rico De Marco and Jack Gordon in committing to the 2025/26 campaign.
A number of players have also departed. Leaving the club are Andrew Duffy, Chris Meikle, Danny Burns and goalkeeper Sandy Thomson.
Meanwhile, after getting a bye in the first round, Shotts were drawn against Irvine Victoria in round two of the WoSFL Cup. The date is to be arranged.
