SPFL 2: Club culture key to unpick Clyde notes Morrison

Posted on Saturday, November 4th, 2023

Spartans are back in SPFL 2 action this weekend following their Scottish Cup heroics in Brechin last weekend when they hit the road once again, this time to Hamilton where they face Clyde at New Douglas Park.

The teams met on the opening day of the season, with Jamie Dishington netting a historic goal for the club, earning Spartans a point in a 1-1 draw in front of a bumper crowd inside Ainslie Park.

Fast forward a whole quarter of the way through the season and the clubs get set to lock horns once again with mixed fortunes for the teams since that clash back in August.

Seasoned campaigner Gavin Morrison, now in his second year under Douglas Samuel’s stewardship, is looking forward to getting back into league action and offered a degree of caution over a Clyde side bolstered by their extra time cup victory over Musselburgh on Monday night.

“It’ll have been good for Clyde to have got the win and I’m sure they’ll have felt that in the squad in terms of getting to the next round of the cup, just like ourselves.

“We obviously played Clyde in the first game of the season here so we are more than aware of what they can do.  I feel as if we are in a really good place at the moment and the wins that we have put together in the last couple of weeks have been good wins and it will be a great game on Saturday and we’ll be going out there looking for another three points on the road too.

Spartans go into the game on a six match unbeaten run, including impressive victories over Dumbarton and Stranraer, a stat that pleases the industrious midfielder.

Morrison added, “I think we are in a really nice position.  I feel as if we’ve made a really good account of ourselves coming into the league for the first time.  The boys that have been playing week in, week out have been doing absolutely brilliant and shown that we can more than compete.

“We can play as well.  We play the way the gaffer wants us to play and we’re well capable of doing it.  There’s been wins in there that have been really gritty ones as well.  We’ve also had to see out some winning positions in games in the correct manner.”

A key contributory factor to the positive start to life in the SPFL following last season’s gruelling Pyramid Play-Off shenanigans is what’s behind the doors in the sheds, as Morrison explains.

“It’s a great dressing room in there.  It all comes down to the culture of this football club that’s been built over a number of years by everyone connected with it and it shows when you step into the dressing room that everyone is together. 

“It also shows that when guys are coming off the bench to make differences and the likes of Jacques (Heraghty) who has stepped in for Cat (Blair Carswell) who is already a legend at this club.  He’s had to cover some big gloves and he’s done a great job for us so far.”

“That isn’t all by chance either.  It’s something that’s been worked on and there’s people at this club who have made this happen.”

Whilst hosts Clyde may find themselves at the wrong end of the table, Morrison acknowledges that in such a tight league, it takes a couple of decent outcomes to flip positions on the table and is wary of the threat the Bully Wee can cause.

“I think the lad Rennie up front is someone Clyde will undoubtedly be looking to put in a big shift against us however we’ve got pace and power in our squad to combat this.  Our box to box goal to seal the win at Dumbarton a fine example of how we can execute a counter attack too and of course there’s big Hendo up front who certainly knows his way to goal.”

Kick-off: 3pm

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online in advance via the Clyde FC Ticket Store, TicketCo Wallet app or in person at the Clyde Office on matchday. Our hosts recommend advance purchase to avoid the need to queue at the stadium. All supporters can benefit from a £1 discount on each ticket when purchased via the TicketCo Wallet app.

Stadium Entry: Both sets of supporters should enter via turnstiles 1-3 on the right (south-west corner) of the Main Stand or via the Main Door through into the Fanzone. Please have your ticket ready for scanning before entering the turnstile.

Seating Arrangements: Home supporters will be seated in Sections C – J of the Main Stand. Please note that the back 2 rows of Section GF are reserved only for Premium and Gold Season Pass holders and hospitality. Away supporters will be seated in sections A and B of the Main Stand.

Fanzone: The Fanzone will be open for home and away supporters from 12.30pm. Access can be gained by entering through the Main Doors. The area includes a pool table, a free kids arcade area and multiple TVs showing the lunchtime kick-off. A range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks as well as teas and coffees are available, with pints of lager costing just £4. Hot food will be available to purchase in the Fanzone.

Kiosks: Food kiosks are located at pitch level at both ends of the main stand from 2pm until 4.15pm. Please note that kiosks accept cash only.

Getting There: Click here for details of how to get to New Douglas Park