Linlithgow Rose sealing league title 'first step' of the journey, says boss Gordon Herd

Linlithgow Rose boss Gordon Herd says the club have completed the 'first step' of their journey after being crowned East of Scotland Premier Division champions.

The Rose sealed the deal at the weekend with two games to spare thanks to a 2-1 away win over Haddington Athletic.

An early goal from Alan Sneddon was added two just two minutes after the interval by Connor McMullan before a nervy finish saw Gabri Auriemma pull one back on 73 minutes before Jack Ogilvie saw red late on for the visitors.

There can be little doubt that the Prestonfield men are worthy winners of the 2022/23 East of Scotland Premier Division title.

They’ve won 22 of their 28 games and boast both the highest goals scored and fewest conceded in the division but as the champagne rained down on the Rose’s first title in 10 years, Herd insisted there’s still much more to come from the club.

Speaking to the Courier, he said: “This is just the start. We want to go and get promoted then see what we can do in the Lowland League next season.

“This feels like the first step, like it’s mission one complete. There’s another couple of missions we want to complete now but we’ll enjoy this moment and then get back down to work.

“It’s testament to the players. There was a lot of pressure on them this season but the squad is full of characters and full of good players.

“We came in at the end of August last season when the league was already probably a wee bit out of our reach so this was our main objective from day one - to win the league this year.

“Collectively as a group we never shied away from that and there is pressure with those expectations but a big well done to the players for going out there and doing it.”

Herd sampled plenty of success as a player for the