Gretna v Saints Preview

Last updated : 24 February 2006 By Stuart Gillespie
Gretna are currently top of the second division, whilst Saints are top of the first. Don't let the division between the clubs make you think this will be an easy game, however. Gretna have several players who could be playing in the SPL thanks to the millions of owner Brooks Mileson. They are free scoring and will almost definitely be in the first division next season, with a view to being about to enter the SPL this time next year. With this being an away game, a draw would be a fine result for Saints.

Gretna are a team I hate with a passion, and offer several reasons for other Saints fans to hate too. They are buying their way through the leagues, yet are media darlings. The Scottish press love the fact they are going through the leagues and offer them column inches at every possibility. They have a midfielder who spat at our assistant manager last season, an annoying midget of a striker from Paisley who always scores against us and, worst of all, a goalkeeper who (allegedly) threw a game to get us relegated from the SPL five years ago. What's not to hate about them?

In case you are wondering, the three players I referred to are John O'Neil (the spitting), James Grady (the midget) and Alan Main (the alleged cheat). If you don't know about the Main thing by now then you obviously don't care and I won't bother explaining it.

Saints have Craig Hinchcliffe and Kirk Broadfoot still absent from injury, but everyone else should be available for selection. Brian McGinty played for the reserves during the week, although he isn't match fit and probably won't be risked. Apart from that, anyone could play, although I'd expect the same team that beat Stranraer. The only possible changes I can see are Hugh Murray replacing someone in midfield, and Stewart Kean being dropped.

Gretna are on a good run at the moment, but we've started scoring again. However, I think we'll struggle even more than we did at City Park and think Gretna will win 1-0.