Gibson praises players after ‘Gers defeat

WITH a full squad to choose from, Annan Athletic manager Wullie Gibson, above, is targeting the League Two play-off places. Last Friday’s 5-0 defeat against Rangers in the Scottish Cup was the first time in a long time in which the boss has had a full subs bench to choose from. Although the quality of Annan’s Scottish Premiership opponents shone through on the night, Gibson was pleased with the way his players conducted themselves. And he fully believes the team possesses the quality to finish inside the top four in the fourth tier. He said: “You’ve come in on the back of a 5-0 defeat, but I thought the boys did really and they can be proud of their performance. “We knew how good Rangers were going to be, that their movement was really sharp, they would try and pull you into areas and you could see their quality throughout the side. “We created a few chances, we never quite got on the end of them and the disappointing thing is when we do get the opportunities we don’t it the target, “We have a good move at the end, I pull it back to Scott Hooper at the edge of the box and he’s close to sticking it in the top corner. “That, for me, is not a team thing, it’s for the fans that have turned out. “They were fantastic and that would have been something for them to cheer about going down the road. “They all stayed and clapped the boys, you could see they were right behind them. “Every one of the players and staff appreciated that.” Gibson added: “It’s disappointing to be out the cup, we’ve just got to turn it around now and our full focus is back on the league. “The squad’s a lot healthier now. If I can, I’m going to bring one more in. There might be another one or two still to move on. “We know that if we win our two games in hand then we get into the play-offs. That’s our objective and I fully believe I’ve got the squad in there that can do that.” The Black and Golds return to League Two action tomorrow afternoon as they travel to Edinburgh City.