ANY suggestion that John Brown is operating little more than a Rangers old boys' network at Clyde would be hotly dismissed by the manager, and perhaps with good reason, as Tuesday night's eye-catching victory over St Johnstone in Perth would suggest.
Two typical set-piece goals in three games from the chain-smoking, verging on rotund Jorg Albertz have played their part in edging the Bully Wee away from the First Division relegation play-off zone. If the German repeats such a feat as Clyde face a
hazardous visit to Dens Park this afternoon, surely any dissenters over the value of the 37-year-old's short-term signing by Brown will be consigned to silence.
"Jorg has great experience, it is as simple as that," explained Brown, a former Ibrox stalwart, as well as a prolific goal-scoring midfielder for today's opponents. "People who say he is too old should look at Davie Weir, he's also 37 and playing at an even higher level.
"He hadn't played for six or seven months before coming to us but you never lose your technique. He has a thunderous shot, is always a goal threat and is an intelligent football player. The legs of those around him make up for any lack of pace; he has been great for us so far."
Albertz is not alone in providing much-needed ex-Ibrox experience at Broadwood, during a spell when nerves of steel will be required. Gary McSwegan, the much-travelled striker, has recently been recruited, as has the colourful Andy Goram as goalkeeping coach.
"Andy has been great for our goalkeepers," explained Brown. "The stuff he does is fantastic, on and off the field; he has a good character and is relishing being back in football again.
"I could honestly see him coaching at the highest level for the next 25 years. We gave him a chance, but I wouldn't be surprised if a bigger club comes in and takes him on full-time in the not-too distant future."
The same period for Clyde involves scrapping for survival. By the manager's own admission, plans for next season are not even close to being formalised with a lack of clarity over what league the club will be playing in. Speculation has suggested financial investment from outside may be forthcoming if Clyde remain in the First Division, but Brown cannot afford to look at the bigger picture. Nor does he yearn for those successful nine-in-a-row years in Glasgow's blue half.
"I started out as a part-time player at Hamilton and Dundee, so I recognise the situation I'm in now," he said. "All I can do now, and the other experienced guys at the club as well, is pass on what we know to the younger ones and hopefully make them better."
The loss of striker Dougie Imrie to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in January was a blow to Brown's prospects but the form of youngsters such as Pat Clarke, signed from Cowdenbeath, and more recently Hearts loanee Mark McCusker hint that brighter times could be ahead.
Currently lying seventh, but only a single point ahead of ninth-placed Morton, Clyde must still also face Hamilton and Dunfermline Athletic in their closing five games. Next week's visit of Livingston, who are eighth, already looks like an archetypal must-win fixture, as does a last game of the campaign against an apparently doomed Stirling Albion side.
"Basically, as it stands, we don't know where we will be playing next season," Brown admitted. "We have to put all our thoughts and energy into surviving in this league.
"If we were to end up in the play-offs, and go down, absolutely everything would change here and the players know that. Hopefully we can stay up, get a bit more money, and entice some guys here for the new season."
Brown has no qualms over the play-off system, stressing: "We knew the rules at the start of the season so just have to get on with it. It is exciting for the fans and, while we would obviously rather not be involved, if we are then we will just have to deal with it."
He is equally pragmatic over what is now a two-horse race at the other end of the division between Dundee and Hamilton. "I can't afford to concern myself with what is happening there," he said. "But it goes without saying that they are two of my old clubs, I wish them both every success and wouldn't want either of them to have to lose out."
Third DivisionEAST Stirlingshire manager Jim McInally yesterday pulled off a double signing as he went back to former club Morton to strengthen his squad.
McInally first captured 19-year-old defender Craig Black on loan from the Greenock club, then he landed experienced former Falkirk, Dunfermline and Gretna midfielder David Nicholls who had been training with Morton.
After leaving Gretna, Nicholls had joined junior club Bellshill but the Scottish League cleared the way for him to be re-registered and signed on loan to the end of the season. Both will be included today in the squad against Albion Rovers.
Dumbarton will not follow up their interest at the moment in former Albion Rovers striker Kenny Wright, who has been playing as a trialist but is now injured. Jim Chapman's side will also be without striker Michael Moore against Stranraer today. Chapman said: "Our recent results are due to the hard work being put in by everyone at the club."
