Rutherglen Glencairn boss Willie Harvey says the performance of under-21 kid Dom McLaughlin was the one bright spot as they crashed out of the South Challenge Cup to Lowland League Caledonian Braves on Saturday.
Glens’ run in the competition came to an abrupt halt at the third round stage as they were beaten 4-1 by their Motherwell-based opponents at Hamish B Allan Stadium, with ex-Rutherglen striker Ross McNeil on target for Braves alongside hat-trick hero Marc Kelly.
Harvey’s side also finished the game with 10 men after Sean McGuire saw red for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity early in the second half when Braves were leading 2-1.
It has been put down as a “bad day at the office” but Harvey says McLaughlin – who got Glens’ only goal of the game – was the only positive he could take from the defeat, as he praised the 21-year-old centre-half for bouncing back from an early error.
Harvey said: “We brought in Dom from the 21s and, fair play to him, he was our man of the match.
“I know we got beaten 4-1 but he had a terrific game after a tough start. He made a mistake for one of their goals but he didn’t let his head go down. He got over that, came through the game and made the under-21s proud.
“He rolled his sleeves up and proved himself to be the quality player we all know he is. He got our goal as well with a good effort at the back post, so I’m really pleased for him.
“It’s a massive positive for us from a difficult day. I know 4-1 is a doing, but for him it could have been a bit worse.
“We never created enough, never closed down enough and it was just a bad day at the office after a couple of good weeks.”
Glens had been in good form going into the match, having lost just once in their last eight games in all competitions.
But Harvey refused to read the riot act to his players.
He added: “The players were disappointed and they knew they didn’t show up.
“We didn’t start well at all. We lost two goals and although we scored to get back in the game for a 10-15 minute period before half time, we conceded a penalty in the first couple of minutes and had a players sent off.
“That was the game basically finished at that point.
“It was one of those days where we didn’t show up and there can be no excuses.
“We’ll take it on the chin because they team that deserved to win, won.
“It happens sometimes in football and this week there was no finger pointing, no shouting or screaming, it was a case of we need to dust ourselves down for a couple of big league games this week.”
Glens now host Neilston tonight, kick-off 7.30pm, before travelling to Johnstone Burgh on Saturday, kick-off 1.30pm.
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