Baikie admits role in Herd's frustation

LINLITHGOW boss Dave Baikie reckons he's partly to blame for the niggling injury that has prevented star striker Gordon Herd from enjoying an extended run in the side this season.

Herd, pictured right, has been in and out of the side over the past few weeks as he struggles to completely shake off an ankle problem.

"I've got to take some of the blame as I pushed him so that he could be back playing against Bo'ness earlier in the season," said Baikie. "He was maybe not ready and, since then, Gordon has been pushing himself to get back but it's an ankle ligament injury and it's still bothering him."

In a bid to clear up the injury once and for all, Baikie has sent Herd to see Brian McNeill, who was his physio at East Fife.

Tomorrow, Baikie's side are due to be in Super League action at Whitburn and will be aiming to extend an unbeaten run at the expense of Derek Strickland's men.

After booking their place in the last four of the Scottish Junior Cup with a replay win over Bathgate, Linlithgow came from behind last weekend to win at Lochee.

"My first game in charge of Linlithgow after taking over towards the end of last season was a 0-0 draw with Whitburn," noted Baikie. "It is a tough place to go as Derek Strickland is a good manager but, with a Scottish Cup semi-final coming up, I'd like to think my players will be working their socks off to keep places in the side." Strickland, who was disappointed that his side had to settle for a draw against bottom-of-the-table Glenrothes last weekend, has lost two players from his squad in recent weeks.

Andy Doig is off to work in Australia, while goalkeeper Ryan McGurk, who only joined the club at the start of the season, was sold to Bo'ness earlier this week.

On Linlithgow's visit, Strickland said: "It's been a real stop-start season for us and we've dropped points in our last two Super League games due to tiredness. We need to get back to winning ways but that won't be easy against an in-form Linlithgow."

In tomorrow's other Super League games, Musselburgh will be aiming to make it three wins on the bounce when they visit Bonnyrigg, Hill of Beath entertain Kelty in a Fife derby and Camelon entertain Lochee.