Ross McAloone: A Tale of Redemption

TOP OF THE..! A great start to Ross's time at Annan, and his youth brigade is showing great signs of progress too. That game against Elgin must've been an emotional rollercoaster, but you're lads are showing great goalscoring potential. There's definitely no issues for Annan finding the back of the net A lovely win against Queens Park too, which shows that even if you're spending big money: it doesn't guarantee you anything.

Looks like you're on a great run mate, some nice talents too!

A dream start for Ross, he's really taken this management role into his stride despite a rocky beginning from day one. Just how much were you celebrating against Elgin?!

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There has been a mixture of movement at Galabank this afternoon with the arrival of Murray Miller and the departure of Jamie Armstrong.

The club first announced the departure of Jamie Armstrong who joined the club on loan from Sky Bet League Two side Carlisle United in the summer.

Armstrong was beginning to make an impression at Galabank towards the end of his time with the club as Ross McAloone afforded more opportunities to the 20-year-old who made a total of eight appearances with five coming from the substitutes bench.

His performances attracted the interest of David Hopkin at Greenock Morton of the Scottish Championship with The Ton launching a £7,000 offer for the Dumfries-born midfielder which was accepted by Carlisle. Armstrong agreed personal terms with Morton and opted not to remain in Cumbria for the rest of the season to see-out his time at Annan.

However, Annan have wasted no time in finding a replacement with the arrival of Murray Miller from Rangers until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old Scotsman, who is also eligible to play for Australia, was previously on the books of Motherwell before attracting the interest of Rangers who ultimately came calling for his services in 2017.

Whilst he has yet to make a first-team appearance for the current Scottish Premiership leaders, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was keen to find first-team senior football for the central midfielder. Miller joins with his parent club continuing to pay his wages as per the affiliation agreement that the two clubs agreed last year.

Miller will provide further competition for places in McAloone's midfield with the likes of Nicky Buchan, Lewis Hunter and Dominic Lavelle all vying to hold-down a place in the starting-eleven already.

The Black and Golds currently lead the way at the top of League Two after stretching their run to five successive wins after a convincing 3-1 victory over Stranraer at Stair Park last weekend.

Comments

James: !! Plenty of goals and entertainment which are most crucially providing results. The win against Queen's Park was massive as I was quite confident Annan would be beaten. There is a huge gulf between the two teams financially but it was good to prove that money, indeed, isn't everything.

Wolf: Hopefully there's more of that to come.

Jack: Absolute scenes mate. Never seen anything like it!

Quite like the look of Murray, though he's a bit too weak to be an Australian Blessed with good passing and vision, so hopefully he can unlock the opposition defences at will. I'm quite impressed with him in a mental/physical sense, so the affiliation with Rangers has already paid off imo.

Attributes look great for his position, a good range of passing on the lad. With Annan already flying, Miller seems to push the strength in the squad even further.

Two weeks late, but I have caught up.

A great read as expected and Ross is really doing a top job at Annan, one I think Peter Murphy would be proud of. It was clear from the summer arrivals the focus would be on developing a young squad with tremendous potential. Clearly they have the required ability at this level too which is very exciting for the years ahead.

The Rangers partnership will arguably be one of the biggest signings though, with that deal already paying off with the latest arrival. Having a an extra £23k coming in every season as well as a club that produces a number of quality young players able to join you on a free for the year could be huge.

Results wise, it's clear the squad is enjoying life under Ross and he is getting the best out of them. Exciting start and I look forward to seeing the good times continue.

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Stranraer 1-3 Annan Athletic | Ladbrokes League Two | Stirling (36), Struthers (44, 90), Yates (90+5)
Queen of the South (e)3-2 Annan Athletic | William Hill Scottish Cup Second Round | Dobbie (21), Winter (92, 107), Smith (4), Hunter (pen, 105+1)
Annan Athletic 0-2 Cowdenbeath | Ladbrokes League Two | Kavanagh (4), Russell (20)
Albion Rovers 0-1 Annan Athletic | Ladbrokes League Two | Struthers (82)
Annan Athletic 1-0 Elgin City | Ladbrokes League Two | Yates (38)

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Nobody could have quite expected the start we have enjoyed so far this season. However, we were keen to continue in the way we have rather than dwell upon it and we proved that with a fantastic 3-1 victory against Stranraer, recovering from a goal down to claim all three points thanks to a brace from Shaun Struthers and a late strike from Matt Yates.

We then returned to action in the Scottish Cup with an exciting tie against Queen of the South of the Championship. The pressure was firmly on our opponents and we looked to play without any fear. A goal from Aidan Smith four minutes into the game certainly gave our confidence a lift although the class of veteran forward Stephen Dobbie shone through as the game went into extra-time.

In spite of our efforts with Lewis Hunter equalising from the spot after initially falling behind in the first-half of extra-time, we were sent on our way home with a 3-2 loss but plenty to be proud of.

Perhaps still suffering from the hangover of the previous game, I was extremely disappointed with the nature of our performance against a lowly Cowdenbeath. We have to be winning those type of games if we are serious about our chances of promotion this season and we definitely cannot afford to be walking away with a 2-0 loss at home, nonetheless.

The character of the side was in question following that loss and I think it wouldn't have been wrong to assume that the loss against Cowdenbeath could have taken the stuffing out of us and sent us plummeting down the table. It was a real testament to the players to end the month in the fashion we did, grinding out two excellent 1-0 victories against Albion Rovers and Elgin City, respectively.

To put it simply, we weren't at the races in those two games yet we managed to take six points from a possible six. Those performances are often those that bring me the greatest joy and it would be an understatement to say I'm delighted with what I witnessed following the Elgin game. We had our backs against the wall but we managed to grind out the right result after ninety minutes and at the moment, every single point is crucial.

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After a couple of hard-fought victories, we remain at the summit of League Two. Queen's Park fell to defeat against Stirling Albion before the turn of the month which leaves us three points clear of Martin Canning's men.

Canning was recently unveiled as the successor to Ray McKinnon after the 60-year-old opted to leave the club in order to take the vacant managerial position at Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Academical. Canning, who previously managed Hamilton for four years, has been out of work since leaving the Accies by mutual consent in January 2019.

Stenhousemuir endured a poor run throughout January as they recorded four consecutive draws to allow the top two to gain some separation over the chasing pack. Stranraer occupy the final play-off position and share the same total of points, 24, with Stenhousemuir after beating both Brechin City and Cowdenbeath.

Albion Rovers remain rooted to the bottom on five points, four points behind both Brechin and Elgin City. Rovers have yet to taste victory this year and have to date back to November for their only league win this season in what has been a dismal campaign for Brian Reid after the former Stranraer manager took control in the summer.

Comments

James: Can you lot even afford to be fussy with who you call-up? He's certainly got the basics worked out!

Jack: Certainly. The team doesn't need too much adding to it but it's important not to rest on your laurels especially with other teams also strengthening for the second-half of the season.

Seb: Glad to finally have you on-board! You would certainly expect for Murphy to be proud. How could he not be? Unless he's somewhat jealous of the job his apprentice is doing. You've nailed it on the head though, it's obvious that the team are enjoying their time on the pitch at the moment and I agree, I too look forward to this (hopefully) continuing.

To get the points on the board when you're not even at your best suggests that Annan have got a good ride coming this year, even if it doesn't necessarily entail being champions. Struthers and Yates seem to have had an impressive month too!

Bloody hell, Stephen Dobbie is still playing!? To be 13 games into the league season and have 10 wins: that's a brilliant outcome for a rookie manager, so Ross is doing a phenomenal job for Annan really. Queens Park would've had the advantage of splashing some cash in January if they wanted to, but I trust Ross and his recruitment: he's nailed it so far.

Also, on the topic of Scottish players that qualify for Australia, you need to sign: Harry and John Souttar, Martin Boyle, and Jason Cummings. There's more, but that'll be a good start

Despite the disappointment against Cowdenbeath still topping the table and have bounced back with two wins despite not being at your best.

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16th February 2021

Annan Athletic have set their sights on the future this afternoon after announcing several contract extensions including that of manager Ross McAloone.

It has been a season to remember so far for Annan with the club leading the way at the top of the Ladbrokes League Two table and the man behind that success has today agreed to extend his stay at Galabank.

McAloone has signed a further one-year-deal which means the 37-year-old is contracted to remain at the club until May 2022.

The former Berwick Rangers and Annan midfielder was appointed as first-team manager in August 2020 following the departure of Peter Murphy who McAloone previously worked under as part of the club's coaching staff.

After signing on the dotted-line this afternoon, McAloone told the club website: "I am absolutely delighted to extend my deal. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in charge of this fantastic football club and the success we have enjoyed thus far has been extraordinary. It seems we have combined different elements to create the perfect storm.

I never quite expected the season to pan out as it has but we have worked incredibly hard and it is pleasing to see that our efforts aren't going unrewarded. We are getting the points on the board that we work tirelessly for. Nobody can doubt our efforts and I am determined to ensure we maintain our form between now and the end of the season. It would be a huge disappointment to be in this position and not see the job through.

It's irrelevant at this point that we were never expected to be in the position we are in. We find ourselves here through being better than every other team in the division up to this point and we won't make any excuses. I want to be celebrating at the end of the season with all the supporters who deserve such a moment for their relentless and unwavering support. Anything other than that would be a failure.

We have a very young squad and I'm very excited about what the future holds for this group of players. I seriously believe that the football club is in the strongest position it has ever been on-and-off the pitch. I am delighted to be a part of that and it is a real privilege that I won't take for granted. I am still very thankful for the club giving me my first opportunity in management and I am trying my best to repay them accordingly. I couldn't be prouder at the moment."

Two other members of the Annan first-team signed new contracts this afternoon.

Shaun Struthers and Cammy Clark have extended their stays at Galabank until May 2023 whilst there are many other first-team players still in discussion over terms.

Struthers has been a revelation this season having arrived in the summer from Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone. The 21-year-old has scored fourteen goals in seventeen league appearances, forming a formidable partnership with Matt Yates as part of McAloone's 4-4-2 system.

Young full-back Cammy Clark has largely been a rotational figure this season for the league leaders, deputising for the more experienced Mark Docherty. He has made six league starts so far this campaign with eight appearances from the bench.

Comments

Jack: If Annan want to maintain their challenge, it's important to grind out those kind of games to get a result and it does give plenty of positive indications. Yates and Struthers have been fantastic all throughout the season and their goals and form will be crucial to maintaining the title challenge that Annan are in.

James: He is. He's still smashing the goals in north of the border! The record Annan have at the moment certainly shouldn't be sniffed at and Ross is clearly delighted with what he has done so far but won't rest until the job is done.

I can't see any of those players joining for a good while but who knows. Keep an eye out!

All three very much deserving of their new deals and it is great news for Annan to have them signing extended contracts. Ross has proven himself already as a very capable manager and his impressive start to life with the club had to be rewarded so I am not surprised in the slightest. I do like his words on no excuses now!

Great to see that Annan have looked to tie down Ross on a new deal, and the deals for Struthers and Clark are a great move for the club too. The club is making some clever moves, and continuity with Ross is a smart decision considering the success that he's enjoyed in his first season as a manager. Keep up the good work mate, you're doing a brilliant job!

McAloone has moulded himself into a great manager after his sudden appointment which can also be a testament to the playing squad with how they have adapted and looked up to him as a role model of sorts. Great to see he's been given a new deal!