City '˜are underdogs but play-off is close one to call'

Sean Mushin is excited about what Edinburgh City could achieve

Despite winning the inaugural Lowland League title with Spartans in 2013/14, the pathway to the SPFL only came in to effect the following year. “I’m often reminded by my team-mates that that season doesn’t count!” Muhsin laughed ahead of today’s play-off final first leg against East Stirlingshire at Meadowbank. “So far, so good though, the play-off experience has been great. From a personal point of view I’ve enjoyed it, but what I’ve noticed in the squad is that they’re using the experience they all had from it last year and as you can see from the semi-final, it’s benefited all of us. They’re talking me through it!

“I think today will be quite evenly matched. We had a very competitive match with them in pre-season but we’d be very naive to think that anyone other than East Stirlingshire are favourites.”

In regard to those taunts from his team-mates, ‘Moosh’ now has a fairly impressive comeback for them – he’s likely to be the only Scotland internationalist to take part in the play-offs at this level, having recently been capped for the national futsal team.

“I’ll be honest, I thought that’s why I got the call for an interview and I’m surprised the call didn’t come sooner!” he joked. “In the last couple of years futsal’s really taken off in Scotland. An Edinburgh league formed and my team, Wattcell, which is an affiliate of Heriot-Watt Uni alumni, have won it two years running now and that culminated in a call-up to the national squad. We had our first ever fixture at home to Gibraltar last week and I managed to bang in a couple of goals, much to Gary [Jardine’s] surprise. My job at the moment is lecturing, and I’ve used every single class to show the highlights, so I’m well and truly milking it!”

Despite his rise to futsal prominence, Muhsin is keen to stay at City next season, whatever level they’re at. “I’m loving being at City right now,” he said. “Gary ultimately makes the final decision depending on what happens either way this weekend and next, but it’s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of and if Gary’s keen to have me, I’ll be there for him.”