Football: Newtongrange boss tells troops not to fret over outcome of title

Published on Friday 22 May 2009 09:58

NEWTONGRANGE STAR boss Graeme Armstrong will insist his players still celebrate tomorrow night – even if they are pipped for the East Region Premier League title by Musselburgh Athletic.

Both clubs have already secured promotion to the Super League and all that remains to be decided now is the destiny of the title.

They are locked together on 48 points and even their goal difference is just about identical, Musselburgh holding the upper hand at the moment by just one goal. Indeed, there is even a possibility that a play-off will be required, depending on the outcome of their respective games tomorrow.

Musselburgh are at home to bottom-of-the-table Dundee North End, while, on paper at least, Newtongrange look to have the tougher task in the shape of a trip to their local rivals, Arniston Rangers.

"I think it's fair to say that the two best teams are going up to the Super League next season and whoever ends up with the title is going to deserve it," said Armstrong.

"It will be disappointing for one club when the race is finally over but there will certainly be no need for despondency as far as we are concerned.

"Indeed, we will be celebrating anyway because our aim at the start of the season was to get promoted and, in addition to that, we have also ended the season on a high by winning a cup."

Newtongrange are the team on form, having kept the title race alive with a 3-2 victory over Musselburgh at Olivebank earlier in the month before following that up with a 3-1 win at home against Arniston.

"We've had a really good run from the middle of the season, winning 11 and drawing one in our last 12 games," reflected the manager.

"If you had looked at the table in January and February, the possibility of us going into the last game with a chance of winning the title certainly isn't something you would have predicted. But all credit to the players and now we are looking forward to giving it one final shot tomorrow."

However, Armstrong will not be telling his players to go looking for a glut of goals, insisting the first priority is to pick up three points in what could prove a potential banana skin.

"Musselburgh are still the favourites as they're at home while we have an away game against our local rivals," he said. "It is always a tough match for us against Arniston as they are a proud club.

"And there is no way that I will be telling my players to go out and win the game by a certain number of goals so that we can pip Musselburgh on goal difference if they also win tomorrow.

"That is simply disrespectful to any team so all I will be asking my team is that they go out and try to win the game and then see if what we've done is good enough."

Like his counterpart, Musselburgh boss David McGlynn has been proud of his team this season and is hoping they add some icing to the cake by claiming the title.

But he is urging caution against Dundee North End after they showed how dangerous they can be by chalking up a notable victory in their last league outing.

"They won 3-1 at Penicuik last Saturday and, for most of the season, Penicuik were our closest rivals," noted McGlynn. "Therefore, we will be taking nothing for granted as that was another example of the fact that any team is capable of beating anyone else in this league.

"The game will take care of itself and, if Newtongrange also win and score more goals than us on the day, then so be it. We will take our hats off to them and say 'well done', as I'm sure will be the case if we end up as the champions."

Having been out in front for a long time, McGlynn admits it will be a touch sore if Musselburgh are pipped at the post, adding: "We do probably deserve something for that.

"But our main aim was to get into the Super League for next season and, in all honesty, it's an added bonus that we are still in with a chance of the title going into the final game."

A play-off apart, tomorrow is the final game of the season for Newtongrange, but Musselburgh are still in the MJM Flooring Cup and will meet Whitburn in the semi-finals.

McGlynn will be without Brian Murray and Johnny Bain tomorrow, while Armstrong is down to the bare bones due to the fact he's missing the services of Tom Britton, Davy Brown and Sean Wooodburn.

Meanwhile, both managers have already started planning for next season, with new players likely to arrive at both Olivebank and New Victoria Park in the coming weeks. "It's a busy time as I'm talking to players at the moment," said McGlynn, while Armstrong revealed: "The players who are staying have already been signed up and now it's a case of trying to add four or five over the summer."

Lowdown on the contenders

Musselburgh Athletic

Key Game: The manager admits he took most pleasure from watching his side clinch promotion with a 5-0 win over Penicuik Athletic in front of a big crowd at Olivebank.

Hot Shots: Matty King and Chris King have both scored more than 20 goals in total this season, the latter hitting 11 in his last seven games.

Unsung Heroes: McGlynn reckons his experienced goalkeeper, Ronnie McPherson, and club captain Wes Mitchell have both played a big part in the team's success this season.

Newtongrange Star

Key Game: After being knocked out of the Scottish Cup, Armstrong watched his side win 3-1 at Carnoustie, a result he reckons gave them great belief in themselves.

Hot Shots: Stevie Thomson has banged in 13 goals in the League with Scott McCulloch and Alan Wilson both on the eight-goal mark at the moment.

Unsung Heroes: Armstrong has taken great pleasure in watching McCulloch and Alan Brown graduate from the Under-21s and shine in the Premier League this season.