Carlos Compliments Clyde

After Saturday’s Optical Express Challenge Cup match, Manchester United Assistant Manager Carlos Queiroz was full of praise for the recently assembled Clyde side and his boss also liked what he saw.

“Sir Alex was very impressed at the way they have come together after only a few weeks. They showed good organisation and passed the ball well. They gave us the kind of test we wanted as they didn’t play a kick-and-rush game.”

Sir Alex Ferguson’s agreement to bring a United team to Broadwood was always a generous gesture and any “Manchester United XI” visit would have been eagerly anticipated. The news just got better and better on Friday evening when a fax was received at Broadwood Stadium detailing the Manchester United travelling party. One famous name after another was read out. “They’re all coming!” was the excited reaction.

The reason for the visit, from a Clyde point of view, and the sense of occasion the Manchester United stars were generating, was not lost on the visiting players. United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher, who made a point of shaking every Clyde player’s hand after he was substituted at half-time, summed it up neatly.

“It was nice to be able to help out Clyde and I was impressed by them. It is the nature of football these days that clubs are struggling financially and releasing players. But these guys have been given another chance to make a name for themselves and good luck to them.”

Clyde Manager Graham Roberts was also delighted with the results of his efforts over the last few weeks and remains unapologetic about his open invitation to take part in trials, dubbed “Clyde Idol” in some quarters.

“All but two of the guys out there came through the trials, all but one are Scottish and we showed the hard work we have put in,” Graham said. “It has been a fantastic thing for this football club.

“Everybody keeps telling us we need experience, but these guys have beaten promoted Falkirk, should have beaten Motherwell the other night and were only 1-0 down to Manchester United by half-time.”

Of course the final result was a 5-1 defeat but ultimately it was a day of gratitude to Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson in particular, and an afternoon of glorious memories for all with Clyde connections.

In the end, as “Mail on Sunday” reporter John Docherty observed “the scoreline didn’t matter. This was all about a little side with a big heart taking on a huge club in the shape of Manchester United – and enjoying the experience.”

Well said that man!