Montrose boss Paul Hegarty admits he may make changes this afternoon against Annan to ensure his side are in peak condition for two of the most important games in the club’s history.
Those matches are the pyramid play-offs with the Gable Endies knowing if they were to lose over the two legs then they would be propelled out of the SPFL and would be playing their football in the Highland League next season.
So, while Hegarty is keen for his side to return to winning ways at Annan after last week’s narrow defeat to Clyde, he is also keen to adopt a cautious approach to team selection.
He said: “While it was obviously disappointing to lose last week, there were still plenty of positives to take from the performance.
“We now go to Annan and with the pyramid play-offs looming large and one or two of the lads carrying knocks, I may make changes for the game.
“I will also be stressing to the players that they cannot afford to pick up any silly bookings or red cards that would result in suspensions ahead of two of the most important matches in Montrose’s history.”
The Angus side will discover who they will face in those games after Brora Rangers and Edinburgh City battle it out in the second leg of their play-off this afternoon with the tie delicately poised at 1-1 following the first leg at Meadowbank.
Hegarty had two spies watching last week’s game in the capital and he is well aware that no matter who eventually comes out on top, they will provide Montrose with a stiff test in a week’s time.
He said: “The reports we received suggested that Brora are the better team even although the game ended 1-1.
“Myself and John Holt also watched Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago and we were impressed by them at that time so we know we are in for a tough couple of games, no matter who comes out on top after Saturday.
“So it is up to the players to stand up and be counted.”
Montrose will be without the injured Bryan Deasley, Alan Campbell and Marvin Andrews for the Annan game.