Stirling Albion boss Greig McDonald has been named IRN-BRU Third Division Manager of the Month for February after guiding his side to a remarkable upturn in fortunes.
Albion went into the month struggling for form and rock bottom of the table but a six-match unbeaten run in the space of 18 days saw them move to the fringes of the play-offs.
They continued that good form into March, notching up their first away league victory of the season at Elgin then bouncing back from a narrow reverse at Berwick to thrash East Stirlingshire 9-1 at Forthbank last weekend — the biggest league win in the club’s 68-year history.
McDonald was also voted Manager of the Month in October — largely for the stunning win over Rangers — but this latest award recognises the consistent improvement made by the Binos.
Stirling began February with a stylish victory over Montrose and also recorded home wins against Annan and Clyde after draws with East Stirlingshire and Peterhead.
The highlight of the month was a 1-1 draw with runaway leaders Rangers, when Ross Forsyth headed a deserved equaliser for Stirling early in the second half in front of a capacity 3,800 crowd.
With no game this weekend due to the Hampden clash with Queen’s Park being rescheduled to Tuesday, April 2 because of the Communities League Cup Final between Hearts and St Mirren, McDonald gave his players a well-earned break from training.
The squad instead enjoyed a 10-pin bowling session and will return to training on Tuesday to prepare for their game against Rangers at Ibrox on March 23.
The recent improvement has given the club a massive boost, though, and McDonald said: “I can’t praise the guys highly enough. To play nine games in 29 days and lose just once says a lot about the ability and determination of this group of players, not to mention their fitness levels.”
Tickets for next Saturday’s game against leaders Rangers at Ibrox, live on ESPN at noon, are on sale from the club office at Forthbank. Prices are £17 for adults, £13 for concessions and £5 for U16s. The club are also providing bus transport at the cost of £8 return.
Albion defender Brian Allison and midfielder Kieran McAnespie will both miss the Rangers game next weekend after picking up one-match bans for amassing six yellow cards.
●Stirling Albion Lotto rises to £13,750 with no jackpot winner this week.
Numbers were 7, 12, 25 and 31 and there were nine three-number winners each receiving £27.77.
