Elgin City manager Allan Hale will treat Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with East Fife the same as any other William Hill League 2 match
Elgin City’s top-of-the-table clash at Borough Briggs tomorrow is “just another game” to boss Allan Hale.
City host leaders East Fife, who have embarked on a six-game winning run to surge clear at the top of League 2, leaving the Black and Whites 11 points off the pace.
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Hale’s side do have two games in hand, but a defeat to the Fifers this weekend would make Elgin’s title challenge all the more difficult.
The manager wasn’t playing down the importance of the match, but insisted he will treat it no differently from any other fixture in League 2.
Elgin’s attitude and commitment will need to be at the highest level if they are to overcome Dick Campbell’s team but Hale said: “I don't think that's something I'll ever question the players about.
“What they've given to me and my staff since we've been here speaks volumes.
“I think the results have shown the character of the player that we have. Mentality-wise, we need to be strong and focused obviously because it's the next game for us.
“When you're in the position that we're in, every game is a cup final.
That's certainly the way that we have to approach things.
“But there's no heightened focus on the game. There's no heightened talk about the game.
“It's literally just another game. It's another three points that's available. We'll be trying to prepare the team to hopefully deliver that.”
The home support will welcome returning striker Kane Hester back for his first Borough Briggs game since leaving for Montrose in 2022.
Watch the last Borough Briggs meeting between the teams.
It will also be goalkeeper Tom McHale’s first Borough Briggs league appearance since helping City to a 4-2 victory over East Fife on the opening day of the campaign.
Hale feels the fans will turn out in force for the big game once again and give the support they need.
“The Peterhead and Aberdeen game showed that if we get that crowd and that backing, the supporters always have a part to play. “Maybe underestimate the importance of what they can deliver for the players as well.
“The Aberdeen game was fantastic in terms of the noise but the way that the crowd got behind the team and the way that they supported the team throughout the game was great to see.
“We need them to show their support and their appreciation to the team and really get behind the team because by them doing that, it really does bring out another 10-15 per cent out of the team.
“I always say that we're in it together and everyone has a part to play. The supporters have a big part to play for sure and hopefully we can get the big crowd and we can get a really positive atmosphere that can get behind the team as well.”
