Dougie MacDuff says it’s time to bounce back and work towards promotion.
Irvine Vics lost away to fellow promotion chasing Vale of Clyde on Saturday but, with a home clash against Carluke Rovers this weekend, he insists it’s the perfect opportunity to show what they’re made of.
Carluke are battling against relegation from the West of Scotland League Third Division as are Vics’ next two opponents Dalry Thistle and Vale of Leven – so MacDuff won’t be taking them lightly.
He told the Herald: “We go again on Saturday at home to Carluke, they’ve had up and down results but they’re fighting for their lives.
“We are at home, we need to get back to winning ways and aim to get promoted.
“It’s in our own hands, we can’t feel sorry for ourselves, it’s all about character now. Let’s show what we’re made of, let’s show a bit of steel and finish strongly.”
MacDuff won’t get too downbeat about losing to promotion rivals Vale of Clyde.
Vics travelled to Fullarton Park with both sides on a good run – but it was the Glasgow team who came out on top with a 2-1 victory.
Sam McConnell netted the opener for Vale in the 28th minute before Thomas Sinclair fired home just before the break to double the lead.
Alessandro Savarese hit back for Vics in the 57th minute to spark life back into the clash, but the Victoria Park side couldn’t graba crucial equaliser.
Vics boss MacDuff said: “I said before the game that the league wasn’t going to be won or lost on Saturday.
“We had four hard games and we came away with nine points out of 12 which is not too bad.
“We have got 11 games left, Vale of Clyde have 13 and we both go to Larkhall midweek soon.
“There’s a lot of hard games to come. Losing on Saturday wasn’t a good feeling and the boys know that.
“But did we do enough to win? I don’t think so, we didn’t play well enough in the first half.
“Losing the second goal on the stroke of half-time was a real disappointment.
“But to be honest Vale of Clyde could probably say they deserved to be three or four up, maybe we were a bit fortunate to go in only 2-0 down at half-time.
“We had words at the break, we were better second half, but it just wasn’t enough.”
