Clydebank boss Kieran McAnespie believes playing alongside seasoned campaigner Michael McIndoe could prove invaluable for the development of his young Bankies squad.
The former winger, who joined Luton Town as an 18-year-old and went on to make over 450 appearances in English football, including stints with Championship outfits Wolves, Derby County and Bristol City, was a cut above playing a defensive role as Clydebank succumbed to a 1-0 weekend defeat at home to league leaders Hurlford United.
He is fast coming up on his 39th birthday, however McIndoe's positional sense and reading of the game ensured he was never caught out for pace, as delighted gaffer McAnespie pointed out afterwards .
He said: “I want our younger up-and-coming talents such as Ross Alexander to realise it’s the little things that count with Michael, like his wonderful first touch which can buy him yards of space in the heat of battle.
“And when you add his composure on the ball and ability to pick out a pass then you have someone who makes others play around him and I just feel our guys can learn so much from the way he goes about influencing games..
“Our squad is predominantly on the young side, consisting of several teenagers and I would put the average age no higher than the 23/24 mark so they should count themselves lucky to have this opportunity to play alongside someone of Michael’s calibre and experience.
“He’s played a lot of games this season but he is in the team on merit and I pay no notice to his birth certificate.”
Also turning heads at Lochburn Park last Saturday was Hurlford United’s own sprightly veteran David Barron, formerly of St Mirren and Stranraer, whose stand-out performance at the heart of the Ayrshiremen’s defence earned the acclaim of his Ford team boss Darren Henderson.
He insisted: “Div has been absolutely magnificent since agreeing to join Hurlford United after I bumped into him taking charge of a coaching session at St Mirren Park where my son was one of the youngsters working out.
“He’s only 31 years of age, and probably should still be playing at Senior level, but he’s had more than his fair share of injuries and that is probably why he was amenable to the idea of dropping into the Junior ranks.
“He has mainly figured in a central midfield role and his displays have undoubtedly been a huge factor in our unbeaten league run, yet such is his versatility that he has emerged as a stand-out when we were forced to play him at centre-back in our last two outings after big Chris Robertson went on holiday.
“Chris was back and training before the Clydebank game but we just didn’t think it right to push Div further forward and now his man of the match display against the Bankies is giving me a selection headache for our trip through to face Rob Roy this week.”
Meanwhile, making a return to Junior management following two years away from the game is former Irvine Meadow and Ardrossan Winton Rovers gaffer Chris Strain, who has been appointed as the new man in charge of Darvel with long-time ally John McColl as his No.2 .
PLAYING SATURDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER (Kick Offs 2PM) McBookie.com Premiership: Renfrew v Troon , Petershill v Cambuslang Rangers, Largs Thistle v Irvine Meadow , Kilwinning Rangers v Pollok, Cumnock v Clydebank, Rob Roy v Hurlford Utd. McBookie.com Championship:Girvan v Irvine Vics, Whitletts Vics v Craigmark, Benburb v Rossvale , Neilston v St Rochs, Arthurlie v Larkhall Thistle, Rutherglen Glencairn v Kello Rovers, Darvel v Kilsyth Rangers , Cumbernauld Utd v Dalry Thistle. McBookie.com League One:Wishaw v Maybole, Blantyre Vics v Shotts Bon Accord , Shettleston v Greenock, Glasgow Perthshire v Port Glasgow, Bellshill Athletic v Yoker Athletic, Royal Albert v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Maryhill v East Kilbride Thistle, Gartcairn v Lugar Boswell. McBookie.com League Two:,Lanark Utd v Ardeer Thistle, St Anthonys v Vale of Clyde, Carluke Rovers v Forth Wanderers, Ashfield v Vale of Leven, Muirkirk v Thorniewood Utd , Annbank Utd v Johnstone Burgh, Saltcoats Vics v Newmains Utd.
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