Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart backs goalkeepers Balint Demus and Lee Herbert
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BUCKIE Thistle boss Graeme Stewart has backed on-loan goalkeeper Balint Demus – while saying that current number two Lee Herbert could play for the Jags for “10 to 15 years”.
There is fierce competition for the number one shirt at Victoria Park at the minute, with Buckie fans voicing their opinions on social media as to who should be starting between the posts.
Demus, on loan from Cove Rangers, was given the nod again against Forres Mechanics on Saturday – and made a couple of neat saves en route to a 2-0 victory.
Stewart, who isn’t on social media, said the most important opinion in this discussion is his – and asked the fans to get behind whoever starts in goals.
“Balint is a top keeper and so is Lee Herbert,” Stewart said.
“Lee will get an opportunity and he could be number one here for 10 to 15 years if he keeps working the way he is.
“But Bal has come in and he’s been exceptional. The mistakes he is making are not with his hands, they are with the ball on the ground because we are asking him to do certain things.
“The passes that he made, I’m asking him to do it. So I’ve got to take that on the chin.
“He’s getting stick for it but fans need to understand that he pulled off two outstanding saves last week and kept us in the game. Try to focus on the positives.
“The fans are supportive and the team will play better if they get the full support. Hopefully they will get behind him now because he’s a young lad and he needs support.
“The team have been right behind him, Lee Herbert has been right behind him.
“Like I said, Lee Herbert is one of the best goalkeepers in the league too – we are just fortunate to have two. If he keeps sticking in then he’ll get an opportunity. It’s a big club and we need two top
keepers and that’s what we have.”
Buckie are back in Highland League action tomorrow night when they make the short trip to take on Keith at Kynoch Park. Kick-off is 8pm. That’s the first of four successive away matches for the Jags, who travel to Formartine United at the weekend, before a visit to Deveronvale in the Highland League Cup and then champions Fraserburgh.
