Spartans aim to take final chance of season to win silver

A 1-0 loss away to Gretna at the weekend put paid to their Lowland League Cup hopes.

Lowland League Champions Edinburgh City await this evening’s winners on May 22, and aside from that obvious objective, Bruce is keen to respond positively to a recent run of poor results that included a 5-2 defeat in Roswell just a fortnight ago.

“When you look at the result last time it was a bit embarrassing to be honest, getting beat like that off one of your biggest rivals,” he admitted. “I’m pretty sure it’ll be a tighter affair tonight, or at least I hope so because it’s a hard pace to go. It’s a semi-final so no-one should really need any more encouragement. It’s the biggest competition we can play in after the Scottish Cup so it would be a good trophy to win.”

Having captained tonight’s opponents before first joining Spartans two seasons ago, Bruce knows the club well, and is sure Steven Hislop’s arrival as manager will be good for his former team-mates. “They’re a good side with some good young players,” he said. “Stevie will bring professionalism having played at a high level. I see John Hall’s back as well – he’ll give 110 per cent, he’s a winner and someone they maybe could have done with this season.”