Team News
Clyde boss Billy Reid was pleased to inform the website this afternoon that he is going into this Saturday’s match with Raith Rovers with virtually a full strength squad.
“Only Stuart Balmer (hamstring) and Graeme McCracken (cartilage strain) are missing with both players likely to be absent for a few weeks”.
Against Raith Rovers, Clyde have held the upper hand recently but many will also remember Andy Smith’s double a few years back when a relegation-haunted but Nacho Novo-inspired Raith Rovers secured a 2-0 victory. Last time out though, it was Clyde who ran out 3-2 winners and a repeat would do nicely.
Billy was aware that some fans have been nervous about the forthcoming tie. Raith have appointed ex-player Gordon Dalziel as manager and he is sure to be demanding an improvement on previous performances as his side have yet to win a league match this season.
“I appreciate the fans viewpoint and agree that this will be a difficult game but we are going into this match with confidence. The bookies have us odds on and many would assume that top should automatically beat bottom but I know football isn’t like that. It has a habit, if you are complacent, of hitting you where it hurts. As I said earlier in the week, Raith have some skilful players and will be desperate to show their new manager that they have the necessary skills to be a force in this league. But we will be going into this game with the right attitude as we are also desperate to get the three points”.
Clyde are currently level pegging with Falkirk but Billy Reid was more concerned with getting maximum points rather than taking the No.1 spot outright. “To be top of the league at 4.45pm tomorrow would be a bonus but our main priority is getting the maximum points and maintaining our good start. That will line us up nicely for the big match next weekend against Thistle”.
Meanwhile, Clyde’s opponents are also setting themselves up nicely for the trip to Broadwood. Following their emphatic 4-1 victory against Cowdenbeath in the Fife Cup, Rovers report only one absentee, Jules Tchimbakala, who sustained a broken arm in training on Wednesday. Jules is the only player missing for tomorrow’s visit to Cumbernauld, with all other Raith players available for selection
The First Division continues to offer attractive fixtures week after week and this weekend is no exception. Airdrie play host to Partick Thistle, Falkirk travel to Hamilton, St. Johnstone face the difficult trip to Dumfries to play Queen of the South and St Mirren will be hoping to get back on the winning ways against Ross County at Love Street. But Clyde fans will only be focussed on events at Broadwood as the Bully Wee seek another three points.