Michael Rankine has scored three of York's six goals this season

York City striker Michael Rankine is confident the club can win promotion from the Blue Square Bet Premier, after securing their first win of the season.

Rankine struck twice in Saturday's 3-0 home win over bottom club Altrincham.

And he then told BBC Radio York: "Everyone's confident of us getting promoted this time.

"We've got the quality in the changing room and kept quite a few of the players from last year so I think we've got a great chance."

Rankine scored City's first goal of the season from the penalty spot in the opening game against Kidderminster.

And he could have had a hat-trick against Altrincham if he had taken the penalty instead of Richard Brodie.

"I could have had three if I'd been on the penalty but I've been dragged off them," he smiled.

"The goals I got last year came in ones and ones, so I'm happy to get two."

There was laughter in the sponsors lounge after the game when they revealed they would have given the man-of-the-match award to Rankine, had he scored his second goal earlier.

An unruffled Michael Gash, the actual recipient, said: "Ranks has done really well and he's now pushing for a starting place.

"It's a worrying time for the other strikers but that's what you want, competition.

"Hopefully we can start getting those early goals, like we did last year, and start putting pressure on teams."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version