Joe Pryce admits Rutherglen Glencairn will face a real test of their West of Scotland First Division title credentials when they travel to St Roch’s on Saturday.
And the Glens co-boss says every point could turn out to be crucial, having scrapped out a 1-1 at Renfrew last weekend.
Glencairn still have players recovering from injury, but Pryce was much happier with their performance at New Western Park than in recent weeks, and reckons they’re in good shape.
St Roch’s sit a point and a place below second-placed Glencairn in the First Division table, having played a game more.
Glencairn themselves sit two behind leaders Arthurlie, going into the weekend games.
“It’s a tight race at the top, we know that,” said Pryce.
“There are some good sides up there, and every point you get is going to be crucial, because I don’t think there’s not going to be much in it, towards the end of the season.
“We didn’t get anything at Renfrew last season, so a point is an improvement, and we’re just looking forward to Saturday’s game.
“St Roch’s are only just behind us in third, it’s another really notoriously tough venue for us to go to.
“They’re a really good side, we know that, and we’re going to be up against it, but it’s another game we’re really looking forward to.
“It’s a real test for us, but we’re going there on better form than we have been over the last couple of weeks. The game at Renfrew will set us up nicely for it, and we’ll work hard in training through the week.”
Pryce added: “If you want to get yourself out of this division, you need to go to St Roch’s and get something.
“They’re a good side, they will be up round about it at the end of the season and will be up there challenging for promotion.
“We’re up against one of our direct rivals, it’s important that we go there and get something from the game.
“It will show us where we are, but we’d much rather be fighting it out at the top of the league than the bottom, so it’s going to be a really good game on Saturday.
“With no Premiership fixtures on Saturday we’re hoping for a good crowd there, and it’s a game the players can really look forward to.
“Hopefully we can put on a good performance and see where that takes us.”
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