Sandy Clark admits his biggest concern from Friday night’s defeat to Celtic B was Albion Rovers’ failure to find the back of the net.
The Cliftonhill side drew a blank for the third game running, having lost on penalties to Shotts in the South Challenge Cup last week after a 0-0 draw and losing 2-0 at Berwick Rangers in their last league outing.
Celtic B eased to victory at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium with first half goals from Rhys Dargie and Daniel Cummings followed by a Lewis Dobbie double after the break.
The result leaves Rovers seventh in the Lowland League and 10 points off leaders East Kilbride, having played a game more, and after three defeats on the spin, Clark admits the lack of goals is troubling.
He said: “Celtic were the better team, they were way ahead of us in lots of ways. We were a couple of players short through injury [Lucas McCormack] and suspension [Adam Fernie and Dom McMahon], but everything kind of suited Celtic on Friday night.
“While we looked a threat at times, we didn’t trouble their goalkeeper enough.
“That is a bit of a concern for me right now because that is three games in a row that we haven’t scored.
“We were a danger at set-pieces and there were a couple of phases of play where it looked like we might get something, but I know the frailties in our team and we do lack a bit of quality at times to finish off some good moves.
“That is the same with a lot of teams at this level.
“The guys do give it their best shot so I can’t complain about them from that aspect.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to take the result on the chin and Celtic, once they got in front, showed a lot of quality.”
He added: “You always learn from these games. There were some players who let themselves down and they have got to do better when it comes to rolling their sleeves up, getting stuck in and winning the battle.
“If you don’t do that, teams will just play through you and Celtic certainly did that for long periods.
“They are really good, young players and they pass the ball quickly and well. They are well-organised and I’d always say we will cope better against them at Cliftonhill, rather than at Airdrie’s ground, which is a big pitch that suits them.
“The last goal looked like it was well offside and the official wasn’t up with play, but that doesn’t change the fact we aren’t picking up any points from the game.
“The disappointment for me is that some of the goals are preventable and Ross Connolly has had to make some brilliant saves.”
Rovers have a free week this weekend and will return to competitive action on December 7 when they welcome Tranent to Cliftonhill.
But Clark hopes his side can still get a run out.
He said: “Billy Mortimer is getting closer to being available for selection again so I might try for a bounce game, if I can, on Saturday to try and get some of the players coming back and some subs who haven’t had a lot of game time, the chance to get minutes under the belt.”
• Meanwhile, Rovers have confirmed they will play Cowdenbeath in a league clash on Saturday, December 21, which was down as a free weekend. Kick-off will be 3pm at Central Park.
New striker is injured
Striker Lucas McCormack has been ruled out injured after just one game for Albion Rovers.
The youngster joined on loan from Championship side Queen’s Park earlier this month and made his debut in Rovers’ South Challenge Cup exit to Shotts on November 16. However, he has picked up a knee injury and has returned to his parent club to have it assessed.
Rovers boss Sandy Clark said: “Lucas has got a knee injury, unfortunately. He would have been involved against Celtic B [a 4-0 defeat on Friday night] well but he wasn’t fit.
“Queen’s Park are having to check that out and see how bad that is for Lucas.”