Clydebank Post | Sport | Time to silence the Meadow money men

Friday, 16th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 6th February, 2008 10:15

Time to silence the Meadow money men

By David Christie

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BEAT THE DRUM: Bankies took on Drumchapel Amateurs in a friendly on Saturday with Paul Craig

Pic by: Alistair McVicar

BANKIES will be out to prove money does not always make the world go round when they clash with the rich kids from Irvine Meadow.

The Ayrshire side are currently top of the Premier Division having assembled an expensive side of ex seniors and proven junior players.

In fact, their star striker Brian McGinty is rumoured to be earning as much in three years as Budgie McGhie’s whole side put together.

Ex St Mirren forward McGinty is joined by former Saints captain Barry McLaughlin as well as Mark Crilley and Shaun Dillon from Stranraer and ex Ayr trio Steven Swift, Craig Higgins and David Hamilton.

Their lavish spending stretched into the juniors too as they snapped up the Auchinleck Talbot pairing of Gavin Friels and Craig Ferroz.

But Clydebank boss Budgie McGhie refuses to be phased by the flashing pound signs as he prepares his side for this tough West of Scotland second round tie.

Budgie said: “It is well documented the amount of money Irvine Meadow has spent and also the money their players are on.

“It has allowed them to hand pick whoever they want — everybody they go for they get.

“But as much as it is a massive advantage, teams will raise their game and use it as a motivational factor.

“My players will know they are coming up against guys on good money. It is a real test and the cash involved creates that bit of an edge.”

With just one competitive match played in seven weeks, McGhie is concerned his side could be caught cold but a decent 4-0 friendly win — including strikes from Paul Craig and Alan Jack — over Drumchapel Amateurs helped boost match sharpness.

And the friendly also saw the welcome return to action of winger David Fisher.

Last week, Bankies drew Lochee United in round five of the Scottish Junior Cup. Lochee lie second in the East Region Super League.

Commenting on their cruel cup luck, McGhie said: “You couldn’t ask for two harder draws. But in a similar way to when you are in the senior leagues and want to be drawn against Rangers and Celtic, it’s no different in the Juniors — you want the top teams.

“In Irvine Meadow and Lochee we have two of the top teams and potentially the champions of the east and west.”

Before Lochee, Clydebank must focus on the job in hand at Glenhead Park against the Ayrshire outfit.

And the Bankies boss has a not so secret weapon to call upon. McGhie added: “Our home record is something to be proud of and that has much to do with the fans.

“The crowds have been brilliant, really generating lots of noise so I would plead with them to get right behind us and the players will certainly have a go.”

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