Shotts boss says 'having a go' worked well as they avoided Premier League drop
John McKeown's side were on a good run of form at the end of the season
Shotts boss John McKeown reckons having a go in games worked well for them, and hopes his side continue that form into next season's West of Scotland Premier League.
The Hannah Park side ended with 11 points from a possible 18 in their last six games, as they comfortably evaded the bottom three – though Clydebank winning their Lowland League play-off saved four teams from going down.
Now that the dust has settled on their first season in the top flight, McKeown reckons they could have done things differently.
'We know what to expect, but you have to find your feet,' said McKeown.
'As a coaching and management team, I think we were a wee bit negative in the first half of the season.
'In the second half, we had a wee bit more of a go, and ended up doing quite well. In our last six games we won three, drew two and lost one, and that's good going in this league.
'Fair play to the boys, they deserve all the credit they're going to get, and hopefully they continue that form into next season.'
Shotts watched Clydebank's play-off in sponsor's pub The Two Chimneys in Uddingston, and the Bankies' promotion to the Lowland League means McKeown can plan ahead.
He said: 'I had two lists, and now I can concentrate on the Premier League one, rather than the Championship.
'That gives us a better chance to plan, going forward.
'This is our second season in the Premier League and I think that's for the first time in 30 years, or something like that.
'By hook or by crook, we've stayed there, so fair play to the boys.
'We have a team spirit that I don't think many clubs have, and I think that's what has kept us up.'
Having lost Airdrie neighbours Gartcairn to relegation last season, due to a 15-point deduction, one particular fixture stands out to McKeown, who said: 'Glencairn are my local team, I was born in Rutherglen, so that's another wee derby.'
Last week the club announced that a number of players have signed up again for the new season
Taylor Evans, Josh Gracie and Paul Byrne have joined Ally Small, Rico De Marco and Jack Gordon in committing to the 2025/26 campaign.
A number of players have also departed. Leaving the club are Andrew Duffy, Chris Meikle, Danny Burns and goalkeeper Sandy Thomson.
Meanwhile, after getting a bye in the first round, Shotts were drawn against Irvine Victoria in round two of the WoSFL Cup. The date is to be arranged.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
36 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Gareth Bale consortium in bid to buy Cardiff
Gareth Bale is part of a United States investment group wanting to buy League One club Cardiff, according to reports. The 35-year-old former Real Madrid and Wales forward was understood to be part of a consortium that had conversations regarding a takeover of Plymouth earlier this week, along with several other clubs, but it appears they have now turned their attention to south Wales. The Athletic reports that the consortium sent current Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan a letter of intent last month, which included financial figures, but it was rejected. Bale is seeking to be the latest big sporting name to be associated with an EFL club. His former Real team-mate Luka Modric became an investor in and co-owner of Championship side Swansea in April, while ex-NFL quarterback Tom Brady has a minority stake in Birmingham. Cardiff declined to comment on Friday night. Bale retired from football in January 2023 at the age of 33. He won five Champions League titles with Real and is the men's all-time record goalscorer for Wales with 41 in 111 caps. He was linked with an emotional move to Cardiff, his hometown club, after leaving Madrid in 2022 but instead joined MLS side LAFC. Bale featured for Wales at the 2022 World Cup – their first appearance at the global finals since 1958 – and at the Euros in 2016 and 2020. Cardiff were relegated to League One last season and appointed Brian Barry-Murphy as their new manager this week.
Powys County Times
36 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca refused to be drawn on Nicolas Jackson's red card
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca had 'nothing to say' about Nicolas Jackson's red card just four minutes after arriving as a substitute in a second-half collapse which saw them lose 3-1 to Flamengo at the Club World Cup. Jackson, who was sent off against Newcastle in their third-last Premier League match, raked his studs down the shin of Lucas Ayrton and was immediately dismissed – after which Wallace Yan scored the Brazil side's third. When Maresca was asked about Jackson's challenge and his recent indiscipline he told DAZN: 'It was a red card, so nothing to say.' 68' You can't script Jackson subbed on… and sent off 4 minutes later 🟥😱 Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #FLACHE — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 20, 2025 However, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella admitted it was something the 24-year-old had to improve. 'He is young player, he has a lot of quality, he maybe needs to improve this a little bit. We are here to improve, we are not perfect so it is part of the game,' he said. Maresca put the damaging defeat down to 'trying something new' for next season. The Blues were leading through Pedro Neto's 13th-minute strike but after second-half goals from Bruno Henrique and Danilo in quick succession Jackson saw red. 'It completely changed the game. Unfortunately we conceded two goals in a short moment and then the red card and then I think it is complicated to get back into the game,' the Chelsea boss added. 65' ABSOLUTE SCENES: Danilo scores and @Flamengo_en complete their comeback under just 3 minutes 😱 Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #FLACHE — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 20, 2025 'We tried – but congratulations to them. They deserved to win. 'We tried to do something different in the game, for next season and for the future.'
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca refused to be drawn on Nicolas Jackson's red card
Jackson, who was sent off against Newcastle in their third-last Premier League match, raked his studs down the shin of Lucas Ayrton and was immediately dismissed – after which Wallace Yan scored the Brazil side's third. When Maresca was asked about Jackson's challenge and his recent indiscipline he told DAZN: 'It was a red card, so nothing to say.' 68' You can't script Jackson subbed on… and sent off 4 minutes later 🟥😱 Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #FLACHE — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 20, 2025 However, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella admitted it was something the 24-year-old had to improve. 'He is young player, he has a lot of quality, he maybe needs to improve this a little bit. We are here to improve, we are not perfect so it is part of the game,' he said. Maresca put the damaging defeat down to 'trying something new' for next season. The Blues were leading through Pedro Neto's 13th-minute strike but after second-half goals from Bruno Henrique and Danilo in quick succession Jackson saw red. 'It completely changed the game. Unfortunately we conceded two goals in a short moment and then the red card and then I think it is complicated to get back into the game,' the Chelsea boss added. 65' ABSOLUTE SCENES: Danilo scores and @Flamengo_en complete their comeback under just 3 minutes 😱 Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #FLACHE — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 20, 2025 'We tried – but congratulations to them. They deserved to win. 'We tried to do something different in the game, for next season and for the future.'
