Basking in glory

Oct 10 2012 by David Ogilvie, Stirling Observer

Marc McCulloch admits the scale of Saturday’s incredible 1-0 win over Rangers may take time to fully sink in.

The Albion number two took charge with Shaun Fagan in the absence of manager Greig McDonald, who married his fiancee Jennifer at Solsgirth House near Dollar.

An early goal from skipper Brian Allison was enough to give the Binos their first victory over Rangers since 1953 and ended a run of five straight league defeats.

Only Albion Rovers had failed to score against Stirling in the league in 2012 but the Binos defied odds of 14/1 to claim arguably the most famous victory in their 67-year existence.

McCulloch said: “It will take a while to sink in that the guys have gone out there and created history.

“Make no bones about it, Rangers are still one of the biggest clubs in Scotland so to produce that performance was outstanding. We were defending for about 80 minutes but we held on.

“The gaffer wasn’t here but this win was for him. We’ve worked closely all week but he is always open-minded.

“He gives us his team and his reason for selecting it and if we feel we have anything to add then we discuss it - but he set up everything for this match in the build-up.”

The 32-year-old admitted it had been a difficult start to the season ,which made this win all the sweeter: “One fan told me at Berwick (after a 4-1 defeat) that I should just retire. Coming back up the road you are thinking ‘maybe he is right’ then this happens, which is why you love the game.

“I honestly felt the Dalbeattie game was a turning point because we managed to score a few goals and keep a clean sheet and the guys put in an incredible shift again.

“David McClune was outstanding at right-back but everyone was immense. We rode our luck at times but you need that.

“Rangers had 70 or 80 per cent of the possession but we had some of the best chances. Mark Peat had a great save from Kevin Kyle late on but Steven Weir has had two opportunities from six yards that he puts away every Tuesday and Thursday in training.”

Fellow assistant Fagan said: “It’s a great feeling and a great day for the club.

“ Young Stevie Day was in there at the end and didn’t want to take his strip off and go home.

“The back four were different class and the full team fought for everything. It was never going to be pretty but we got there.”

Rangers manager Ally McCoist said: “We made enough chances to win a couple of games but we didn’t take them and you have to congratulate our opponents.

“Our tempo wasn’t good enough and we are not the same team away from home. We will have to deal with that.”

Albion have no game on Saturday due to the international break but welcome Montrose to Forthbank on Saturday, October 20.