Meadow look to Andy McLaren for final inspiration

Oct 24 2008 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

IRVINE Meadow manager Chris Strain is looking for Andy McLaren to light up Sunday’s Ardagh Glass Cup Final.

The former Scotland winger may only be on a month-to-month deal with the club, but this is exactly the sort of occasion which is made for his talents and, says the Meadow boss, he expects McLaren to treat the big crowd to the full array of his skills.

“Andy’s a wonderful talent and has been playing some great stuff for us,” enthused Strain.

“His vision and movement are first class and his twists and turns and flicks and feints are a joy to watch.

“He’s the type of player who can win any game and I’m sure Lugar will find him a real handful on Sunday.”

McLaren picked up a couple of knocks at Perthshire last weekend but Strain expects him to be fit for the game, and he fully expects Meadow to have their hands on the silverware at time up.

“We’re at home, we’re playing against an Ayrshire League side and I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t win,” he added.

“I watched Lugar a couple of weeks ago and they played an attacking game with three men up front, but I don’t expect them to be so adventurous on Sunday.

Strain was full of praise for Lugar agreeing to play the game at Meadow Park, but he also stressed the importance of picking up the first trophy of the season.

"It's good to have the final at a Junior ground and fair play to Lugar for agreeing to hold it at Meadow Park,” he said.

“Initially it was going to be at Beith but it would have been daft to have folk coming from South Ayrshire and going past a park which is in ideal condition for a showpiece game.

"Obviously we're looking to win it, especially with home advantage, but Lugar are a decent side so it won't be easy for us.

"But the players know it's important to get that first trophy of the season.

“It gives you a boost for the rest of the campaign and once you get your hands on that first trophy it gives you a taste for winning more.”

Strain was pleased at the way his side handled the difficult conditions at Keppoch Park last week and was full of praise for the scorers, especially two-goal Gareth Turner.

“Gareth works so hard and has added goals to his game in recent weeks so that’s a bonus,“ he said.

Long-term injury victims Gavin Friels and Frankie Haggarty are still missing, while Paul Hyslop, who went over on his ankle at Glenafton, will also sit it out.

Meanwhile Lugar boss Alan Cotton knows the enormity of the task facing his team.

“I saw Meadow at Glenafton and although they lost it was obvious they’re a quality side,” he said.

“Andy McLaren oozes class at this level and he’ll have to be watched very carefully.

“It’s a real David v Goliath clash but we must play the game – not the occasion – and if we do that we’ll have a chance.”