Stuart McKenzie knew he had to bide his time to earn a return between the posts for Cove Rangers.
Veteran stopper McKenzie was recalled to the starting line-up for Friday’s 2-0 win over Queen’s Park and delivered a man-of-the-match performance at the Balmoral Stadium.
He earned the praise of his manager Jim McIntyre, who admitted he felt for long-serving McKenzie after he fell behind Kyle Gourlay in the pecking order.
However, after the 4-4 draw with Hamilton Accies, where Gourlay was penalised for time-wasting late on which led to the hosts’ late equaliser, McIntyre opted to bring back the long-serving McKenzie.
The 34-year-old played in cup games against Livingston and Raith Rovers, but Friday was his first league outing of the season.
“It’s been frustrating with not starting the season, but the same happened last year,” said McKenzie.
“I just kept working hard and waited for my chance. We just keep pushing each other in training and we both get on well. He’ll work hard in training and try and put pressure on to get back in.
“You need two good goalies at the club to push each other and get the best out of each other – that’s what we’ve been doing for the last year and a half.”
The fact McKenzie was able to return with a clean sheet was even more pleasing, given Cove’s recent defensive worries.
“It gives the team confidence – the goalkeeper, the defenders – and gives the strikers opportunities to go and get the goals,” added McKenzie. “It might just be one chance in a game and they need to take it. But we need to keep the back door closed as well.
“The core of the squad has remained the same and people that come in know how good we are and how difficult we are to play against.”
Getting one over on Queen’s Park
McKenzie was happy to be busy upon his return and it saw Cove finally get one over Queen’s Park, having failed in their five previous attempts to get a result against the Spiders.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, but it was a great performance to get the three points, with a clean sheet on top,” he said.
“With the league we’re in now, we’re always going to be busy (at the back). We had a few chances, they’ve had a few chances – it was just about who took them at the right time.
“I don’t think we’d beaten them the last five times we’d played them. At home, we’re strong, so it’s good to get another three points.”
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