Paul McManus has been a frustrated onlooker in Cove Rangers’ title surge but is ready to play his part in the championship run-in.
The former Raith Rovers, Brechin City and East Fife striker hit two goals in the 4-1 win against Rothes at the weekend and hopes it stands him in good stead in manager John Sheran’s selection plans.
McManus said: “I’ve not played a lot of the time, so it was nice for me to get two goals but it was all about the performance and getting into the next round of the League Cup. It’s a cup competition we take very seriously and I was lucky to get one of the two goals in our cup-final win last season. We had a good crowd at that game.
“I’ve scored goals at every club I’ve been at but Mitch Megginson is one of the best strikers I’ve played with. He didn’t start against Rothes but was one of the key players in the Aberdeenshire Shield final win against Banks o’ Dee.”
McManus, a cousin of former Hibs forward Tam McManus, has amassed huge experience with several Scottish League clubs, a factor which he feels is beneficial to all around him but which should not be seen as a guarantee of starting games.
He added: “I’d be very disappointed if I were Mitch sitting at the top of the scoring table and a 35-year-old striker was selected regularly ahead of me. It’s all about being ready to go. We want to be successful.
“I’m not getting any younger but will keep plodding on. I did feel a bit rusty but I’ve scored in nearly every game I’ve started for Cove since joining them. Mitch is a joy to watch and whether he wants to go back to playing at a higher level I don’t know.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves because we know it’s a really hectic set of games coming up. We realise that’s why some of us got our chance against Rothes.”