Weir's way working for Elgin

Elgin City manager Jim Weir is pleased the Borough Briggs pitch is set to host its first game in two months when Albion Rovers visit on Saturday.

Elgin have climbed off bottom spot in League 2 on the back of three wins and a draw from four consecutive away games but have not played at their Moray home since a 1-1 draw with Arbroath on December 2.

Flooding caused four games to be called off but intense work has been undertaken this week to get the on-going problem fixed.

Weir, who replaced Barry Wilson in November, said: “The club brought in machinery earlier this week to help repair the pitch so there is increased confidence that we will get a game there this weekend.

“We have done really well away from home recently but it would be nice to get back to playing at Borough Briggs, especially as I have only taken the team there once. In saying that, I am delighted at how well we have done away from home in recent weeks.

“We have won at Montrose and Annan, drew with Queen’s Park and then defeated Berwick Rangers last Saturday. To make the long trip to Berwick and win was great as Shielfield is a difficult venue. Hopefully that will bring some extra confidence to the team.

“When I came in, the biggest issue was that if we lost a goal we would lose the game. That can happen after a disappointing run but we had to change the mindset and install one that looked to get back into games regardless of what happens.

“I have been able to bring in some new bodies as well and they have helped. We have looked harder to beat and more menacing up front. We are beginning to look like a side who has confidence in the defence keeping people out and confidence in our strikers to get a goal.

“We do not have an abundance of front men but we do have quality. Craig Gunn has hit double figures for this club for a number of seasons now and we are looking for the same from him again.

“Dennis Wyness has bags of experience and is a terrific link-up player. While Shane Sutherland has not scored recently he is a strong and creative player that I am delighted to have available after injury.

“We also have drive and goals from midfield with Archie MacPhee and Daniel Moore. They got us the goals at Berwick and the addition of Craig Thomson from St Johnstone has also been a real bonus.”

The upturn in results and performance will be tested by a Coatbridge side who will top the table if they avoid defeat in the Highlands, with Weir adding: “Albion Rovers are a good side and are at the top of the table for a reason.

“They are a really good side with experienced players who are well coached by Darren Young and Sandy Clark. Their players know their jobs so this will be a huge test.

“They were also the last side to beat us but I would like to think we are a different side now. When they played us before we were still at the stage of losing a goal and our heads going down. Hopefully that has changed.

“I am enjoying being back after a two-year break and I am really enjoying the opportunity that Elgin have given me. We are making progress but there is a long, long way to go.

“We knew when we started the target was to get off the bottom - now that we have done that we need to stay off the bottom. We will give it 100% to do that.”

Craig Stewart