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While it has been a tough couple of months as the team has slipped off the pace in the battle for the playoffs, one highlight has been the emergence of Arron Darge as a key first team player.

The twenty-year old has featured in thirty matches for Cove Rangers in what is his debut full season at this level, and has started the last eight, impressing in a variety of roles. He admits he did have to be patient earlier in the campaign, but that did not come as a surprise:

“To be fair, I expected that as I settled in at a new club. It was up to me to work hard and give myself the best chance of playing, to make sure that I didn’t let the fact I wasn’t being picked affect me. I took the minutes whenever I was given them and did what I could for the team.

“It has been great to get the little run I’ve been on; it’s helped me get a good feel for the league and what’s expected of you. As for my best position? I honestly couldn’t tell you! Each has its merits, things I enjoy, but I’m just happy to play, to get on the pitch.

“Throughout my time at the academy – (Arron was captain of the Hearts B team) – I played at centre half, but whenever I went out on loan I was shoved out to right back or pushed up one into midfield. I genuinely don’t mind which position I play.”

“I feel as if I’m in a good place right now, and it’s been a real confidence boost the manager picking me week in, week out.”

Paul Hartley has been delighted with the progress Arron has shown, but his performances have not come as a surprise to the gaffer:

“I did my homework on Arron, I knew what I was getting, and he has not let me down. His attitude is first class, he always gives you everything, wants to win every ball, and he’s such a clean tackler.

“It took him a little while to get a regular run of starts, but he’s played in most of the games, and he does a job for the team wherever I ask him to play.”

Like everyone at the club, Arron has been disappointed by recent results, but he says it is vital to remain upbeat and positive, and believes we can still make the playoffs:

“It hasn’t gone our way of late, but you never know in football, look what happened to Montrose in midweek. There’s three games left, and we have to go out and do everything we can to win them.”

“What has happened is in the past, you can’t let that affect you. We’ve still got plenty quality in the squad, despite the injuries, and we need to get back to playing the way we know we are capable of.

“I see it in training, I know it’s there, and being full-time helps in that you see most of the boys, you can talk things through, and it is a supportive dressing room. We’re all in this together, it’s a really positive environment; the frustration is that we haven’t been able to show that on the pitch in recent weeks.

“We know the importance of the Alloa game, it’s huge, and we have to go out there, perform, and win it. You do look at the league table, the other fixtures, we’ve all been talking about it, but it’s on the pitch where it really matters, and we’re all fired-up to get the three points which would set us up for a dramatic finish to the season.”

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