Stirling Albion boss Darren Young says there will be no title party hangover for his side as they eye up a record-breaking 20th match unbeaten this weekend.
The Binos head to Lanarkshire tomorrow for their final fixture of the season against Albion Rovers and with the title and promotion to League One in the bag, the manager is hoping his side can notch an incredible 20th successive game without defeat.
A 3-1 loss at the hands of Stranraer back on December 3 was the last time Albion failed to take any points from a game.
And with an historic season almost over, Young is urging his troops to finish it off in style - breaking the club's all time record for the number of matches without a defeat.
Rovers sit bottom of the league – three points adrift of Bonnyrigg Rose but with a significantly better goal difference. A win for Rovers would give them an opportunity of staying up and Young has warned his side to be wary of the hosts.
He told the Observer: “Rovers are always a hard game and they have everything still to play for so I know we’ll be up against it and they will be scrapping for their lives.”
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The Binos gaffer could be without a number of key men – including top scorer Dale Carrick, Robert Thomson and Adam Cummings – who are struggling with injuries.
However, former Rovers boss Young has no concerns that his squad will be up to the challenge. He rung the changes for last Saturday’s fixture with Forfar Athletic and his much changed side ran out 2-1 winners.
“You saw the strength and depth of the squad last week”, he said.
“Those guys who came in last week have played some amount of games over the season that we’re still able to put out a strong side and hopefully they can get another result for us at the weekend.”
In amongst plotting his side’s way to victory in Coatbridge, Young has also been tasked this week with booking his title-winning heroes a sunshine break once the season is completed.
He joked: “A manager’s work is never done. I’ve been in a few different travel agents trying to sort somewhere for us and my phone has been going non-stop, with the boys suggesting different places.”
There was more good news this week as Binos’ hitman Carrick was nominated for the PFA Scotland League Two player of the year. Carrick has netted 19 goals in the league with a further four assists.
He is nominated alongside the league’s top scorer Tommy Goss of Annan Athletic, Forfar's Craig Slater and Albion Rovers youngster Charlie Reilly.
Young said: “Dale was good when I came in last season, but he played a lot wide on the left or on the right. This year we’ve had him more central and he has more than contributed to the team with the number of goals he’s scored so he deserves his nomination.”
Ahead of tomorrow’s clash, Young warned his side to be wary of Rovers youngster Reilly, who has notched 21 league goals this campaign. The 21-year-old has agreed a pre-contract with Premiership hopefuls Dundee.
Young added: “He has been in excellent form all season long and has really earned his move to Dundee. We’ll have to keep an eye on him if we want to make it 20 games unbeaten.”
With an eye on next season’s League One effort, Young is hoping to push deals over the line to keep a number of his title winning stars and says he’s also hoping to add up to four new additions this summer.
Tomorrow’s match at Cliftonhill is a 3pm kick-off.
