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| Craig Malcolm (Photo: Scottish Football League) |
Stranraer’s play-off
star Craig Malcolm hopes his goals can help bring him a first Scottish Football
League promotion.
The former Arthurlie
striker scored in both legs of the Blues’ comprehensive 5-1 victory over
Queen’s Park in the semi-finals.
His side now face
Albion Rovers on Wednesday and Sunday to see if they can claim the Coatbridge
outfit’s spot in Division Two.
Malcolm said: “Winning
promotion at any level is good but to do it in senior football is something
special, and something I’ve never done before.
“But we know we’ve got
a couple of hard games and I think it’s important we get a good result on
Wednesday at home and take that to Albion Rovers, because we know they’re a
strong team.
“A few of my pals are
there and it’s going to be a tough game. They gave us a few hard games last
year and they’ve kept most of the same players.”
The 25-year-old was
released by Raith Rovers as a youngster before his three seasons with Arthurlie
in junior football.
Stranraer signed him
ahead of the 2010/11 campaign and he’s been thriving at Stair Park since.
Malcolm said: “I love
it down there, everything about it. It’s a great bunch of boys and we all get
on really well – I think that shows when go out on the park.
“All the boys are
behind each other and we’re all in it together. It’s a great wee club and it’s
well run.
“Obviously I’d love to
play at a higher level and the second division is a step up again.
“I believe I’m good
enough to play there and hopefully if we get there I can score some more goals
and show I can do it at that level.” |
| Queen's goalie Neil Parry - Malcolm's ex-team-mate |
If it hadn’t been for one of Malcolm’s ex-Dunterlie Park team-mates, goalkeeper Neil Parry, he may have notched more than just the two goals against Queen’s Park.
Malcolm said: “Yes we were at Arthurlie together. He made some good saves in the first leg and he saved a one on one in the second leg, so I’m not happy with him just now!
“I could’ve had a
couple more over the two ties, but I have no complaints because obviously the
important thing was getting through and that’s what we did pretty comfortably
in the end.
“That’s 19 goals for me
this season now, so hopefully I’ll get another one in the next couple of games
and get into the twenties.”
Stranraer boss Keith
Knox had received criticism from certain quarters for rotating the squad in
league games once a play-off position was secured, but Malcolm reckons it has
been the right call in the long run.
He said: “If you look
back on it now, the manager and the assistant manager have done the right thing
in chopping and changing it because all the boys were fresh and ready to go
last Wednesday.
“I think the fans will
forget about the last four or five league games if we win this week – these are
the ones that matter.”
