SHINTY: Club president admits two teams face relegation dogfight as Strathglass take on Oban Celtic in Cannich
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STRATHGLASS president Roddie MacLennan says the club must take maximum points in both matches against Oban Celtic if they are to have any chance of avoiding finishing bottom of the National Division.
Strathglass welcome Celtic to Cannich on Saturday for a bottom of the table clash where the hosts are looking to pick up their first points of the campaign.
It has been a disastrous season so far for Strathglass, having lost all seven matches in the league and are rock bottom.
They are three points behind Oban Celtic in seventh place, who themselves are four points off Col Glen in sixth.
The team who finishes bottom could be relegated if either of the champions from North Division One or South Division One are not reserve teams.
MacLennan says the club know the significance of a positive result on Saturday and says a victory could be the catalyst for a turnaround in fortunes for Strathglass this season.
“In the league side of things, this is the biggest game of the season so far,” he admitted.
“This is an important game for us, our game at Oban Celtic at the start of the season was postponed, so we still have to play them home and away.
“It is fair to say it is now a relegation dogfight between ourselves and Oban Celtic.
“Col Glen have managed to edge above both of us this season.
“To be honest, we need to get four points against Oban Celtic with victories at home as well as away.”
Despite losing every league game this season, as well as being knocked out of the Balliemore Cup by Bute 3-1 last weekend, Strathglass have been competitive in matches they have played.
MacLennan says as the season has gone on, the club’s performances have improved and is confident it will result in points soon.
“We now have students coming back for the summer and the mood in the camp is good,” he said.
“In the last three games, we have travelled long distances to Bute, Inveraray and Col Glen.
“But we are improving as the season has gone on.
“We admit it has been a disappointing season so far, but with some luck we could have got points out of some matches.
“But we have good attendance in training and our management team of Donald Fraser and Darren Reid are working hard to try and get points.
“The club is not despondent by any means and remain positive.
“There have been availability issues this season and some players out injured long term.
“But our ambition is to remain in the National Division next season if we possibly can.”
