Greig Ryan insists Aberdeen Grammar remain grounded as they look to pick up their third victory on the bounce this weekend.
Grammar have beaten Dundee and Stewart’s Melville in their last two games to lift the mood at Rubislaw, following a difficult start to the season.
They head to GHK tomorrow looking to pick up their first win on the road and while their prospects look a bit rosier, Ryan knows it will take more than two wins to make their campaign a success.
“We’ve got to manage the guys,” said Ryan. “Yes the mood is good and we’ve won two on the bounce but we’d also lost the first six as well.
“It’s trying to keep them level-headed and take each week as it comes. This week we travel to GHK, they’ve got some good players and it’s going to be tough.
“Lads are starting to believe in themselves and showing what they can do. We’ve had a few injuries and players that aren’t available all the time but lads are stepping up and making an impact.
“Us coaches are trusting players that are new to the club and giving them an opportunity.”
Grammar have been plagued by availability issues in the past but take pride in being one of the few clubs in Scotland regularly getting a second XV out each week.
Even when they endured their difficult start to the season, the coaching staff were not doubting the players’ commitment.
“There’s been a good buzz,” added Ryan. “Even though we lost the first six, there were close games in there.
“The guys have always brought the intensity to training. It’s tough when you’re on that losing streak, to still turn up Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, but the guys have done that and stuck in.”
Jonny Spence and Ross Cameron will return to the Grammar squad, however Sam Ryan will be out after breaking his hand in the win over Dundee.
“We’ve never played them before – they’ve got Craig Gossman, who’s a club international, and Tommy Spinks and Matt Smith was on the books of Glasgow a couple of years ago,” said Ryan.
“They’ll be good and are well-coached. It’s an unknown really for us; we need to go down and stick to our game. Hopefully the guys can put in an 80-minute performance like they have for the last two weeks.”
