Gretna Buoyant

Gretna FC 2008 face a tough test at Raydale on Saturday against the University of Stirling buoyed by the vibrant starts of their new signings, Scott Milligan and Ryan McGuffie last week against Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Following a dismal start to the season the students are now unbeaten in their last six games following the appointment of Shelley Kerr, the first woman to manage a men’s senior football team in the UK.

Stuart Rome has given the credit for their turnaround to their new coach, “what she’s done since she went to the University is unbelievable. She’s turned them right around.” Shelley gained 59 caps for Scotland as a player before managing Arsenal ladies.

Scott Milligan, signed from Dalbeattie Star made an immediate impression last week, scoring within 20 minutes of kicking off for the hoops. He and fellow striker Iain Anderson harried the Gala defence all afternoon, while Connor Graham, David Renyard and Brandon Longcake added to the goal tally.

Meanwhile Ryan McGuffie slotted into Gretna’s defence, mopping up whatever Gala could throw at him. The ex-Queen of the South player, recently returned to Dumfries from Australia, played tribute to his new teammates skills. “They’re a good bunch of lads,” said the UEFA B qualified coach, “bags of talent and they move the ball around well. It’s a pleasure to play for Gretna.”

Competition for places in the Gretna FC 2008 squad is now intense. As well as the recent signings, Lewis Todd has fully recovered from his ligament tear and Joe Slattery will have his cast off soon from the broken wrist he suffered in the William Hill Scottish Cup Tie against Gala. But Stuart Rome is not resting on his laurels and has added Nick Cassidy on loan from Queen of the South.

Gretna is poised in mid-table with games in hand. Full points from Saturday’s game could see them move up to third spot in the Lowland League.