28/02/22

Alloa Athletic Reaction | The Manager & Rory McAllister

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Manager Paul Hartley and striker Rory McAllister spoke to the media following our 2-2 draw with Alloa Athletic on Saturday.

Alloa found themselves two goals ahead after just eighteen minutes thanks to goals from Andy Graham and Steven Boyd, but on the hour mark, momentum switched after Robertson was shown a red card for a high challenge on Vigurs.

Manager Paul Hartley responded well by making five attacking substitutions, which paid off when Ola Adeyemo scored his first goal for the club in the 81st minute, and Rory McAllister calmly slotted home minutes later, ensuring we ended the game with a point.

Manager Paul said: “We didn’t start particularly well – I wasn’t happy at half-time.

“The first twenty minutes we were all over the place.

“We slowly got into the game, and I made the decision to re-jig the formation slightly, which did help a little bit.

“We got back into the game, had a few chances.

“The sending off definitely changed the game in terms of their momentum.

“From then on we just went for it – I felt I’d rather have a right go and get as many attackers on as I could.

“It wasn’t about tactics at the end because we threw the kitchen sink at it as we just had to have a real go.

“It’s great that Ola managed to get his first goal as it’s been tough and frustrating for him since joining.

“And then Rory did what he does best.

“We maybe could have got one right at the end but for going in at half-time 2-0, I was delighted to get a point out of the match.

“I knew Brian (Rice, the Alloa Manager) would have his time fired up, he’s a good coach.

“We didn’t react to their situation – they had runners coming through, balls into the box we didn’t deal with, second phases we didn’t deal with.

“There haven’t been many times I’ve gone in at half-time and had a go at my players, but I wasn’t happy about how they went about their business in that first half.

“The second half they showed me character and that’s what I wanted.

“You’ve got to fight for every point.

“We have to keep going, keep working hard, keep showing pride in the jersey and pick up every point we can.”

Rory said: “It was a proper game of two halves.

“We struggled in the first half.

“Second half we came out and we were playing better, we made the changes following the red card and dominated the game.

“We were actually unlucky not to win it at the end.

“With the appointment of a new manager you are always expecting some kind of reaction.

“They definitely had a reaction to their recent appointment, and they can maybe feel a bit hard done by, but at the end, I thought we were the better team.

“At the end of the day, considering we were 2-0 down until the 80th minute, it’s a good point on the road.”

Rory started the match on the bench, but was on hand to come on and play his part when called upon.

He said: “I want to play every game I can, I was desperate to get on.

“We’ve got a really good squad of players so there’s competition for places.

“I had been ill last week, and I still wasn’t 100% midweek.

“I’m fine now so hopefully I’ll be back in playing regularly and building up my fitness again.

Rory’s 85th minute goal was his 5th against Alloa this season, taking his total to 18 for the season.

Rory was delighted to add to this, saying: “It’s probably been the best season I’ve had for a few years.

“My last couple of years at Peterhead I was struggling to score.

“I’m playing in a team full of quality here at Cove, so I’m always confident of getting on the scoresheet.

“The boys around me are creating plenty of chances and I’ve been there to finish them off, so I’m delighted with that.

“Hopefully I can get a run of goals going again now that we are coming to the end of the season.

“As long as the team is winning or picking up decent points that’s all that matters.

“We move on to our semi-final on Tuesday now, where we can hopefully kick on.

“Whether I’m selected or not, I’ll be ready to go and give it my all.”

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