Gerrard determined to finish on a high with Spartans

DAN GERRARD, the Spartans captain who plays his last-ever game for Spartans tonight in the East of Scotland League Cup final, picked up the King Cup at the weekend with a 'man of the match' performance and is now concentrating fully on their game at St Mark's Park against Lothian Thistle.

"This has been a magnificent season and we are in a position we would have all wanted to be in at the beginning of the season," said Gerrard. "This was our first season at Ainslie Park and after the first month it did not look like it would turn out like this when we lost our two opening league games. However, we recovered and have matched last season by winning the Premier Division and lifting the SFA South Region Challenge Cup. We have already added the King Cup and tonight we have the possibility of another trophy."

Gerrard moves to London during the summer and he is determined to end his career at Spartans with a victory. "Our consistency has been fantastic and I want to leave on a high," added Gerrard.

Facing Gerrard will be his old adversary, the Lothian Thistle captain and leading goalscorer Wayne McIntosh, who is excited at the prospect of a League Cup final against Spartans. "The game cannot come quick enough because we have done well to get here after trailing 2-0 in the semi-final against Tynecastle with only 15 minutes left," said McIntosh. "To win that game 3-2 was brilliant. I've watched Spartans in their recent cup finals and they are a very good side but I'm confident that we can give them a challenging game. Spartans are cool and always keep their heads. We have to ensure that we maintain our discipline and remain as a tight unit for the entire 90 minutes."

McIntosh is currently the leading goalscorer in the East of Scotland League with 33 goals in all competitions closely followed by Spartans' Keith McLeod who is two behind on 31 goals.