Bathgate boss holds on to Super League dream

Jan 7 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Love: Frustrated Jags not ready to put title tilt on ice just yet

GRAEME LOVE is refusing to chuck in the Super League towel while it is still mathematically possible for Bathgate Thistle to claw back leaders Bo’ness.

The Jags manager (left) concedes his side faces an uphill task but he insists they will keep trying to win every game until it is beyond them.

He said: “It is going to be extremely difficult to win the league but I’m the type of person who wants to win every single game and, until it is mathematically impossible to win it, we’ll keep going.

“If we can’t win the league, then I want to finish second or as high up as we can.

“I don’t like to lose. I want to win every week and I take each game individually.”

The Jags earned an impressive away win over county neighbours Linlithgow Rose on their last league outing before they followed that up with a Fife and Lothians Cup win over St Andrews.

But since then the nation-wide big freeze has left the Thistle stars kicking their heels.

And Love is hoping their enforced winter break doesn’t knock his in-form side out of their stride.

He continued: “I suppose it is a bit of concern that we could lose a wee bit of momentum but I’ve not thought about it too much.

“We are trying to organise a few bounce matches to keep us ticking over to maintain our momentum.

“We have a few lined up but they are all weather permitting and it may be difficult to get them played.

“Training has also proved problematic as even the indoor facilities around the county have been closed.

“It has been very difficult and I’ve been caught in two minds about whether to try and get the guys in to train as we have players in Edinburgh and Glasgow and, with the state of the roads, it hasn’t been safe to drive.

“So I have given the players a bit of time off although I have asked them to keep themselves ticking over.

“Looking at the weather, I reckon it could be another two weeks before we play again as I can’t see our game against Whitburn on Saturday making it.

“That would mean our next match would be the Scottish Cup game against Glenrothes and we want to be at the top of our game for that.

“If the players come back the way they went away, with a good attitude and momentum, then I’ll be delighted.”

Love also admitted he would like to bring in a few new faces to his squad but he is mindful of the financial situation of the club.

He added: “It is important we remain prudent. I have looked at guys who I’d like to bring in if they become available.”