More on Gary O'Connor

As Gary prepares for his first game for East Stirling at Forfar, we are left to wonder what actually happened between him and Michael Renwick. It was a month ago that Gary was told to either find a new club or join up with the Reserve team for training and on matchdays.

Gary has chosen to keep playing senior football and has joined East Stirling on an emergency loan deal.

Michael Renwick says that Gary just isn't good enough and he needs younger and more hungry players in his team. He also questioned Gary's attitude in training (which I find hard to believe).

Renwick was quoted in the week's Berwick Advertiser: "In my opinion Gary's performances for us were simply not good enough. I know what he has cost us in terms of points this season, so I was looking to make a change. Gary was aware of that, but his attitude made my decision all the easier.

"Gary instigated a move to Stenhousemuir himself, but then the deal fell through at the last minute. He will now spend the rest of the season either playing with the reserves or go out on loan as an emergency signing to another club. I know it is his testimonial season, and that will still go ahead, but I couldn't let that influence my decision."

Now this is the bit I don't understand, Renwick says that Gary's performances 'were simply not good enough'. Yet when you look at the facts and compare his record this season with that of Flockhart and Logan, it is obvious that Gary has been a much better 'keeper this season. He kept the score respectable in a lot of games, including Michael Renwick's first game in charge at Airdrie.

Gary O'Connor: Games - 19, Conceeded - 44 (av. 2.3 per game)
Chris Flockhart: Games - 4, Conceeded - 17 (av. 4.25 per game)
Peter Logan: Games - 3, Conceeded - 10 (av. 3.33 per game)

Okay, Peter Logan has only played three games since he joined, but I'll revisit this particular maths lesson at the end of the season to see if his average improves. If it does and it drops below 2.3 goals per game, Renwick made the correct decision. If it doesn't, it was a bad judgement. You simply can not argue with facts and figures.