Published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2009 2:00pm

Glory in 2009 gives Budgie taste for more

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BUDGIE McGhie has pinpointed Clydebank's memorable Scottish Junior Cup final as his highlight of 2009 - but the Bankies boss insisted his players won't rest on their laurels next year.

More than 6,000 fans turned up at Kilmarnock's Rugby Park stadium in May to cheer on the Bankies against Ayrshire giants Auckinleck Talbot.

Despite being edged out 2-1 in the final, McGhie was filled with pride by his troops' efforts on the day and throughout their astonishing cup run.

However, the Clydebank manager was ruing his side not gaining promotion and hopes to see them rise up the table in the second half of the season.

Giving his verdict of 2009, McGhie recalls: "My thoughts are that it has been a reasonably successful year. And I think the highlight of 2009 was getting to the Junior Cup final.

"It was a great achievement for a club like Clydebank to reach the final of a competition of that level. And it was made even more enjoyable by the fact that we had a big travelling support.

"The cup run took up most of the attention, but we were disappointed with the promotion side of things last season.

"But we are sitting pretty at the moment in the league going into 2010 - without getting carried away. We have jumped four or five places in the table because of our last couple of wins.

"Rutherglen Glencairn still need to be caught up and there are a pack of clubs behind us in the table who will be a challenge. But with our position in the league it sets us up nicely going into 2010."

McGhie praised his whole squad's performance throughout the 12 months but hailed skipper Gary Lynn and keeper Stephen Gonet as his star performers.

He said: "I am reluctant to single anyone out because all the players were fantastic. There were players who produced pieces of magic during the cup run.

"However, for consistency I would have to say Stephen Gonet and Garry Lynn were terrific throughout the season. This season we have added new players to the team.

"And we have also brought in young players to the team such as Nicky Cairney and Ross Campbell. They have performed well and have made an impact at the club which isn't easy.

"And there are guys like Stevie Dallas and Stevie Dymock who have performed well.

"So it is not just one or two guys playing well. Our whole squad are performing well and that is what you need for success."

Budgie revealed he would be delighted to see his side better last season's fifth-placed position in 2010.

He added: "We just want to keep on progressing up the league in 2010 and if the players do that we can have no complaints.

"We would love to get to another cup final but our main focus is the league campaign."