We know that Craigan has been struggling for some time with a groin injury and that proper recovery means we have to lose his services for a few weeks. Since Mark McGhee took charge he has talked of the need to find a tall, strong central defender to promote competition and to provide backup yet the team had to be altered significantly as a result of the captain's injury.
Quinn had to be moved from his left back role and, with no suitable right back reserve, Lasley had to be withdrawn from midfield to make up the back four. We started Saturday's game with four strikers and only two regulars midfielders in the centre of the team. It seems that we have acquired a crock in Klimpl. He joined us for a five month loan spell in August and yet we have now reached the second half of October with no hint that he will be able to kick a ball before the year's end.
The manager suggested that Quinn should have held back from the red card challenge and stayed on the pitch and when asked about the plan for next week replied "Step up Bob". Whether Malcolm can restrain himself enough to remain on the park for ninety minutes in
The crowd at
Jamie Murphy on the wing
The warning signs are there for all to see. SPL football is struggling to draw fans to games. It may take more than occasional cut price gimmicks to bring them back to the terraces.