There are headlines this week around Rangers and unfortunately or fortunately their woeful performance in the Ramsdens Cup Final is wiped out once again by the wrangling in the board room but the reality was that Rangers and Raith were both pretty awful. Rangers have one go left to win the Ramsdens’ Cup before they believe they believe that they shall become ineligible. It has been yet another week in which to the fans of this once great colossus have been warned that that there is a lot of distance to be travelled yet between now and whatever then actually is…
They are up against Dundee United at home in a national semi final that in which I expect them to give a far better account of themselves – they might even win – but the league is where our attentions are more fully focussed – cos there’s better spectacles available there…
SPFL LEAGUE ONE
My match of the day saw Gary Bollan continue what he started at Airdrie as they saw off 2nd placed Dunfermline Athletic at home 2-0 thanks to Keigan Parker and Jim Lister. 3rd placed Stranraer’s stutter wasn’t quite so bad as they managed a 1-1 draw at New Bayview with East Fife; Nathan Austin and Scott Robertson the scorers. Fingernails at Glebe Park for the visitors shortened as 4th placed Ayr United were beaten 2-1 by Brechin City thanks to goals from Robert Thomson and Craig Molloy. Alan Forrest got 1 back for the visitors. Finally Paul McManus and Bobby Linn got 2 for Arbroath but before and after Ben Greenhalgh and Sean Higgins scored for Stenhousemmuir to make it 2-2 at the end of play.
We continue to have Rangers (89) at the top and now that their treble is now a double and they will be on semi final duty next week, that march towards 100 points will continue in earnest.
The playoffs have Dunfermline Athletic (57) confirmed but Stranraer (48) and Ayr United (45) are toiling. Stenhousemuir (42) are closest and could take either 3rd or 4th spot with 12 points still available. Forfar Athletic (39) do have a game in hand but that’s against the wounded champions… If they did manage to win that then they would also be serious contenders. It has a good number of weeks still to run.
Down the bottom Brechin City (35) may have won at the weekend but could also be out the playoffs after Saturday if Ayr win. It means their focus is below them as Airdrieonians (35) have kept up with them whilst East Fife (32) are very much still in the hunt to get out of their relegation playoff spot. For Arbroath (25) it remains possible but unlikely they shall make up the 7 to catch East Fife never mind the 10 to catch either Brechin or Airdrieonians.
PREVIEW
Match of the Day
East Fife v Stenhousemuir
Truth be told it is pretty hard to pick out a match that stands out because it is top v bottom almost all the way. Having said that East Fife need the points to get away from relegation and the Warriors need the points to get into the playoffs. It makes this one the pick for me. The Fifers have been dogged opponents of late and Stenny shall have to be wary. Scott Booth has tightened the side and a playoff spot would be a great reward. I do believe they shall take an away win home this afternoon.
Dunfermline Athletic v Forfar Athletic is likely to be a home win as the Pars will be looking to play better football with the pressure off – they are already in a playoff position. Dick Campbell has East End Park today and then Ibrox on Tuesday as the Loons look to finish off their playoff hopes in two very hard games. Arbroath v Stranraer has the Red Lichties on the edge of relegation and are likely to find it hard today. Stranraer are simply struggling to get over the playoff line and today could be a similar story whilst Brechin City v Airdrieonians is a tight contest that I believe will be another Gary Bollan success story.
