Rutherglen Glencairn net perfect record on way to league title as side stick together through pandemic

Rutherglen Glencairn under-16s are celebrating after winning their league with a 100 per cent record – and coach Alex Black insists it’s a well-deserved reward for his squad sticking together during the pandemic.

The club have been riding high in the past two seasons but the virus has forced their campaigns to be cancelled.

However, this time around the Glens have got their hands on some silverware after winning 18 games from 18 on the way to clinching the Lanarkshire Youth Football Development Association (LYFDA) League Section B crown earlier this month.

The club – managed by Tony MacDonald and coaches Alex Black, Martin Gallagher, Stuart Callaghan and Alan Dunsmure – won the title with two games to spare.

They beat Larkhall Thistle 4-0 in their last outing, putting them clear of rivals Claremont.

And proud coach Alex Black said: “The boys have had a really good season, especially coming back from the Covid break.

“The last two seasons we’ve been sitting high in the league only for it to be stopped for Covid. But the boys have done really well to stick together at this age group throughout it.

“A lot of teams around our area folded but we’ve kept on all the same players. We thought a few players may move on, but they never did. They’ve got the reward for that now.

“To win 18 games out of 18 is fantastic. The club’s only been going a few years and this is the first competitive season we’ve completed.”

The youngsters will now be able to soak up their success on a trip to Blackpool this week as they await their trophy presentation.

Alex added: “We are going down to Blackpool to play teams from Liverpool, London and Ireland, so it’s a nice trip for them.

“We are hoping to get all the parents along for the trophy lift