RENFREW boss Colin Clark admitted he was itching to take the field after a player shortage forced him to name himself on the bench for Saturday’s tie with Lesmahagow.

With Richie Chang, John Craig, Sean Curran and Iain Nicolson all unavailable for selection through injury and holidays the Western Park gaffer was forced to don the Frew strip on the touchline alongside his assistant Jimmy Quigley.

Quigley was to eventually take the field in the side’s 2-1 victory over their fellow strugglers but Clark was quick to concede he would love to still be playing.

He laughed: “I was dying to go on.

“With the three guys out injured it was obvious during the week that I would have to make up the numbers.

“Me and Jimmy play for the fire brigade side so we still manage to play a bit — obviously the standard isn’t the same as the juniors but Jimmy came on and played ok.

“I miss playing — management isn’t really a substitute, I’d go as far to say it isn’t a substitute at all.

“But, Colin Forbes got an injury on Saturday so I will be on the bench in the midweek games again this week, you never know I might even get on.” Renfrew’s threadbare squad was there for all to see on Saturday as Quigley came on as a second half substitute whilst 53-year-old keeper Iain Wilson deputised following an impressive performance against Kilwinning Rangers last Wednesday.