Shotts boss John McKeown has told his players to keep themselves fit as winter weather provides a stop-start programme of games.
McKeown is keen to keep Shotts’ 10-game winning run going, but Saturday’s West of Scotland Cup second round clash at Beith was frozen off, and he already has misgivings about this weekend’s rearranged South Challenge Cup third round clash at home to East of Scotland Premier League Dundonald Bluebell.
The Hannah Park gaffer would love to be able to go on a run after Christmas, but for now has warned his stars to look after themselves.
He said: “Most of the games at the weekend were off, but the good thing is that the decision was made on the Friday, which was sensible and allowed us to plan early.
“We gave the boys the weekend off. We managed to get indoor facilities on Tuesday and Thursday, because even the Astroturf was frozen solid, and that allowed us to just keep them ticking over.
“We’ve won 10 games in a row, so we just want to keep that going, but at this time of the year it’s stop-start, so we’ve told the players about the importance of keeping themselves fit and ticking over, and we’ll do our part as well to keep that going.
“They’re a good bunch and they seem to be looking after themselves.”
McKeown says he has no fears over a potential fixtures pile-up and reckons clubs having floodlights and synthetic surfaces will help get games on during the season.
He said: “Dundonald Bluebell are a Premier side through in Fife. They’re a good side, and will bring a decent support through with them, so again we just need to wait and see how the weather is over the next few days.
“I think there has been a wee bit of snow forecast later on in the week, and if it’s going to fall anywhere, it will be in Shotts, that’s for sure!
“I think it will all work out though. Loads of teams have floodlights and astro pitches, so I think throughout the season it will be quite easy to catch up, compared to what it used to be.
“The fixture guy seems to be on the ball with stuff as well, so I think it will be fine.
“But it’s such a strange league table to look at, because there are so many teams who have games in hand.
“It would be nice to get a run going again after Christmas.”
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