McGlynn adapting to nomadic lifestyle

McGlynn's men haven't played at home since January due to Olivebank undergoing a redevelopment and have now been told it won't be finished until the middle of October.

"We're getting pelters from the League for not playing at home but this whole palaver is not the club's fault," said the manager.

"It is very frustrating and the biggest problem, of course, is that there's no income through the gate at all at the moment.

"We are having to try and raise money through other sources but it's not as though we can get sponsors to come along to games for hospitality."

Like a number of other clubs, Musselburgh were forced to cut their wage bill in the close season.

But McGlynn is adamant he can overcome the departures of players such as Adam Nelson (to Linlithgow), Paul Tansy (East Fife) and Ryan McCallum (Bonnyrigg) to keep the club in the top flight.

He's certainly not disheartened despite defeats to newcomers Forfar West End (2-0) and Hill of Beath (3-1) in their opening two games.

And he is hopeful that Musselburgh can kick-start their campaign tomorrow away to Newtongrange Star, the side they came up with from the Premier Division two seasons ago.

"It was time for us to get the wage bill down and regroup," said McGlynn. "We needed to cash in on players like Adam Nelson, getting back the money we'd paid to get him from Brechin.

"It also wouldn't have been fair to have a young player with the pedigree Ryan McCallum has sitting on the bench more than not, which is why we let him go to Bonnyrigg.

"We're not alone in going down a different route. Linlithgow have strengthened and maybe Bo'ness as well. But a few other clubs have also had to cut their budgets.

"However, the fact we've lost our opening two league games isn't down to what's happened - not at all.

"While my squad may not be as strong as it was - we've gone from 22 players down to 17 or 18 - I believe my starting XI is actually stronger than the one I had last season.

"I'm still trying to add a couple of players but reducing the size of the squad is doing the club a favour as it's saving 7,000-8,000 in wages."

On tomorrow's trip to New Victoria Park, McGlynn commented: "This is our third away game and we're at Bo'ness in our next league match as well. People will be looking at us as relegation candidates if we are still sitting where we are after these two games.

"It would be nice, therefore, if we could go to Newtongrange this weekend and relieve the pressure a bit.

"All the players know each other well and over the past few seasons there's been a good rivarly between us and Newtongrange on the park."

Jamie Mackie, on loan from Raith Rovers, misses out tomorrow after receiving a straight red card last weekend, while Dod Fraser and Matti Doherty are also unavailable.

"For the opening hour against Hill of Beath, I thought we were different class - in fact, it was one of our best performances in the last couple of years," said McGlynn.

"We created four or five good chances and their goalkeeper kept them in it. But, after finding ourselves down to ten men, they scored against the run of play and our heads went down.

"However, I couldn't fault them for effort and hopefully we can get the wee break every team needs, especially in a League like this where every game is nip and tuck."

Newtongrange lost 3-2 at home to Lochee in their opening game before drawing 2-2 at Camelon.

Like McGlynn, Graeme Armstrong has carried out significant surgery on his squad over the summer, with Scotland Junior international Damien Gielty among those to move on.

"Damien has gone to Luxembourg to work," said the Star boss. "On the one hand, we were sad to lose him but, on the other, him and Steven Thomson were very similar players.

"We brought in Liam McKenna over the summer and I'm hoping he'll help give us a better balance in the middle of the park."

After losing 4-0 to Bo'ness in their opening game last season, Newtongrange were being tipped as relegation candidates but finished in fourth spot after an excellent campaign.

"Like any other manager, I always want my teams to try and win the title but that's maybe a bit unrealistic." said Armstrong.

"We've had a bit of a change to the squad and we'll just need to wait and see what happens."

"Reducing the size of the squad is doing the club a favour as it's saving 7,000-8,000 in wages" david mcglynn