Gartcairn boss explains squad mindset ahead of title-defining showdown

Gartcairn Women’s boss Robert McCallum knows Sunday’s match with Hutchinson Vale is the biggest of their season by some distance – but he’ll play it down to stop nerves from disrupting plans.

The MTC Park side have enjoyed a fantastic season in the Championship South and after a 3-0 walkover against Edinburgh City on Sunday, they stand one win away from glory.

A victory over capital-based opposition this weekend would guarantee promotion to SWPL 2 for next season, an exciting prize after elite women’s football in Scotland was confirmed as the SPFL’s responsibility from next term.

One point would likely be enough, as they sit two points in front of second-placed Rossvale, who would need to perform miracles on finale day and overturn a goal difference of 30 in their match with Morton.

McCallum’s side have won 18 of their 21 league matches, scoring 106 goals, but knows they must remain focused to deliver success.

He said: “I would rather have been able to go this Sunday and have a great time, but it will be a sleepless Saturday night!

“We’re only a year old so it’s obviously our biggest game, and it’s the biggest game a lot of our players will ever have experienced.

“I would say there’s only a few players in the squad who have won a league. We will play it down through the training sessions this week. League titles don’t come about every year.

“We are at home, we are in familiar surroundings. We know what to expect and the fans will be there. We’ll have young girls singing their songs and hopefully that encourages us.”

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