It's been a few weeks since I posted, and during that time we've witnessed one of the most exciting Stenny signings of recent years. The arrival of Darlington striker Ian Harty is a terrific boost for all at Ochilview - we simply have to hope that he fulfils his undoubted potential.
Harty is certainly one of those players who, if raw talent were the only determining factor, would be playing at a higher level. We have had a number of other players in that category - Colin Cramb, Isaac English and John Paul McBride spring to mind. All were wonderfully gifted players who found themselves in semi-professional football due to a variety of extenuating circumstances - injury problems for English, disciplinary problems for Cramb. Yet surely those problems, paradoxically, worked to Stenny's advantage? Had the players' careers been trouble-free, I doubt we would ever have seen any of them at Ochilview. Harty is, perhaps, in the same mould - as a youngster at Stranraer, his talent was obvious, but for one reason or another, his career has hit the rocks.
By signing players of this nature, the club takes on the challenge of restoring them to their former glories. This obviously proves to be easier with some players than with others, but the likes of English and McBride demonstrate that it is possible. Can John Coughlin get Harty back to his best? Given his considerable coaching and management skills, I firmly believe that he can.
If he succeeds, our attack will be truly formidable, since Harty's likely partner - Scott Dalziel - has made a huge impression since joining in January. This can only bode well for our play-off push: despite falling to fifth place after the postponement of the Dumbarton game, the players have every right to feel confident in themselves. After all, no-one else can beat East Fife home AND away...!
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