MacPherson tells Buddies to be wary of backlash

Published on Monday 10 March 2008 22:46

ST MIRREN manager Gus MacPherson has warned his players to expect a Gretna backlash following the confirmation that the Borderers are going into administration.

The Gretna players were told the news ahead of their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against St Mirren at Fir Park tonight.

Despite fearing for their livelihoods they have all vowed to take the field and put themselves in the firing line against the Buddies.

The SPL have also confirmed Gretna will be deducted 10 points when the administrators are called in, expected to be some time later this week.

They are already 11 points behind nearest rivals St Mirren and a deduction will spell the end of any slim hopes they had of avoiding relegation.

But MacPherson is wary that the bad news intensifies the team spirit at Gretna ahead of what could be the final game at the club for many of their players.

He said: "We have still got a game to play. Every time a player takes to the park, they have still got professional pride to worry about.

"If anything it will have a positive effect on players, it will bring them closer together. You see it quite a lot, when a club hits difficult times it gives them a cause. Gretna have certainly got a cause.

"Not for one moment would we think we had an easier game because of their problems."

The Fir Park pitch has seen a series of postponements this year and more rain could put the match in doubt.

That weather has given St Mirren problems training ahead of the contest after they drew 1-1 with St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

But the difficulties in finding somewhere to train are nothing new for MacPherson.

"The training has been hampered for the last three weeks because of the conditions and lack of training facilities," he added. "We can only do what is best in the circumstances."

Jim Hamilton returns to the St Mirren squad tonight. The former Dunfermline striker was cup-tied on Saturday.

David Barron is battling to be fit while broken foot victims Stephen O'Donnell and Richard Brittain are still building up their fitness.

Gretna are expected to have an almost full-strength squad. Aurelien Collin and Paul Murray could start after returning from injury in the second half of last week's 3-0 defeat by Dundee United.