From Raudondvario Stadionas in Lithuania to Ainslie Park in Scotland, Matty Gillies is ready to represent his country or club.
The on-loan Hearts teenager missed Stranraer’s defeat to East Kilbride as he was representing Scotland in a trio of international clashes.
Available for Saturday’s contest against Spartans, he is looking forward to getting back involved at club level.
The capital club sit top of the League Two table but Stranraer will be looking to continue their recent decent form.
He said: “Any team top of the table, you look to go there and win the game.
“To get three points, we have got to be ruthless and show quality.”
Scotland’s under-19s played Latvia, Lithuania and England, with Gillies featuring in the final game.
Already, Gillies has shown his versatility and played at both right back and in midfield for Stranraer.
He said: “It’s funny, I have not played right back a whole lot.
“I have only played one or two games there before Stranraer.
“Definitely, midfield is my favourite position and I can have the biggest impact on games in the middle of the park.”
Gillies, who has been joined by Dominic Plank in making the move from Tynecastle to Stair Park, is thoroughly enjoying his time in the blue of Stranraer.
He said: “I’m loving it at Stranraer so far.
“It has been brilliant and the boys have been really welcoming.
“I think the fans have been my biggest shock because they have been so supportive in every game.”
As well as Plank, there was one more familiar face in the home dressing room at the Eco Gen Stadium.
Martin Fellowes is no stranger to Gillies, with the duo working together in the national set-up.
The teenager said: “I first met Martin when I was in the under-16s, which would have been about two-and-a-half to three years ago.
“That was the first time I met him and he was helping me out.”
Last meeting
Spartans were victorious on their visit to Stair Park earlier this season as Stranraer played the entirety of the second half with 10 men.
Sean Docherty received two yellow cards in the first half, which left the home side a man short.
To Stranraer’s credit, they managed to keep their visitors out until the closing stages. Ayrton Sonkur had hit the crossbar before the deadlock was finally broken.
Stranraer could only get a corner clear to the edge of the box and Jamie Dishington’s low shot crept home. Then, Cammy Russell drilled home from 20 yards to wrap up all three points.
Stranraer: Lane, Reid, Docherty, Dunne, Coll, Stuart (McKnight 64), Dolan (Sharp 79), Quigg, McManus (Turay 79), O’Donnell (Lang 79), Edgar (Rough 32).
Not used: Ecrepont, M Russell and Henderson.
Spartans: Martin, Booth (Drysdale 73), Tapping (Scott 73), Dishington, Sonkur, Waugh, Welsh (Watson 28), Craigen, Whyte (McNulty 46), C Russell, Stowe (Dall 81).
Not used: Nair and Carswell.
Last five meetings
- Stranraer 0 Spartans 2 (Dishington and C Russell) at Stair Park on September 13, 2025
- Spartans 2 Stranraer 1 (Walls and C Russell; Guthrie) at Ainslie Park on April 5, 2025
- Stranraer 2 Spartans 0 (Docherty and Edgar) at Stair Park on February 1, 2025
- Spartans 1 Stranraer 3 (Henderson; Dunlop and M Russell x2 (Pen x1)) at Ainslie Park on December 10, 2024
- Stranraer 2 Spartans 2 (Lang and Dunlop; P Watson x2) at Stair Park on August 3, 2024
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v East Kilbride (H): 1-3 (M Russell (Pen))
- WIN v St Mirren B (H): 2-0 (Lang x2)
- DRAW v Clyde (A): 0-0
- WIN v Forfar Athletic (H): 3-1 (Dolan (Pen), Edgar and Lang)
- WIN v Glenafton Athletic (H): 4-0 (Dolan, Own goal, Hunter and Edgar)
Spartans
- DRAW v Clyde (H): 1-1 (Craigen)
- WIN v Aberdeen B (H): 5-2 (Dall, Ndlovu, C Russell x2 (Pen x1) and Stowe)
- DRAW v Forfar Athletic (A): 1-1 (C Russell)
- WIN v East Kilbride (H): 2-1 (Craigen and C Russell)
- WIN v East Kilbride (H): 2-1 (McNulty x2)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v East Kilbride: Lane, Ecrepont, Reid, Rough, McKnight (Coll 83), Stuart (Hunter 75), Dolan, Quigg (Dunne 83), M Russell (Hughes 74), Lang, Edgar (Plank 68).
Not used: Sharp and Henderson.
Spartans
Lineup v Clyde: Martin, Watson, Dishington, Nair, Drysdale (Booth 77), Welsh, Craigen (Aiken 46), Whyte, McNulty, C Russell, Stowe (Wylie 77).
Not used: Dall, Ndlovu and Carswell.
Five facts
- Saturday marks the 47th birthday of former Stranraer defender Damiano Agostini. Signed from Queen’s Park, he made 25 appearances for the Blues during the 2009/10 season. His debut was one to forget for the club as they lost 5-0 away to Dundee and ended up with Danny Mitchell in goals after David Mitchell was sent off. The Stranraer team was: David Mitchell, Wright, Noble, Agostini, Nicoll, Danny Mitchell, Donald (McInnes 68), Jack (Moore 57), Montgomerie, McGeough, McGrath (G Mitchell 53). Not used: Aitken and Leith.
- Saturday will mark the 12th meeting between Stranraer and Spartans. Currently, there has only been one goalless draw and that came at Ainslie Park in April last year.
- The two sides first met in August 2016 when Stranraer ran out 7-1 winners. Craig Malcolm scored four while Mark McGuigan, Willie Gibson and Kyle Turner also found the net. Eddie Malone was on target for the capital club. While none of the Stranraer squad from that day are still at Stair Park, both Blair Carswell and Jamie Dishington remain at Ainslie Park.
- Spartans have lost just three league games this term as they sit top of the League Two table. However, each defeat has been at Ainslie Park. Dumbarton were 2-1 winners while Stirling Albion triumphed 3-1 and Edinburgh City won 1-0.
- While former Stranraer man Ayrton Sonkur could line up for Spartans and ex-Spartans man Lewis Hunter could line up for Stranraer, there is one more connection. Full-back Callum Booth was born in the Wigtownshire town before moving to the Central Belt at a young age.
Admission
Admission is via the home club’s Fanbase online ticketing platform, priced as follows:
- Adults: £18
- Concessions (16 to 18, 65+): £13
- 15 and under: £6
Podcast
Check out the latest episode of club podcast Look Blues Talking for an in-depth look at this weekend’s game, along with a review of last Saturday’s meeting with East Kilbride.
Coverage
If you’re further afield, follow our live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter).
The manager’s post-match reaction will be available via YouTube on Saturday evening.
Club 1870 subscribers will get a first look at the goals later in the evening, along with full match footage.
Our extended YouTube highlights will be available on Sunday morning, with Laurence Nelson joined by Cameron Ritchie on commentary.
Photos: MadMac Photography, Bill McCandlish
