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Tipped for top

27/ 2/2008

SALFORD City Reds coach Shaun McRae has tipped Oldham for promotion this season.

The highly regarded Australian could only watch from the stands as the Roughyeds toppled his full-time outfit 18-14 at Boundary Park.

Speaking a few days after the upset he heaped praise on the Oldham side’s attitude and said that promotion from National League Two would be ‘a formality’ if they managed to consistently repeat their efforts from Friday night.

"They are a very well drilled side," he said.

"They matched us and wanted it more than us on the night which is what won it for them. I’d say you’re looking at Doncaster and Oldham from that league but if they can play like that every week they will do well."

McRae, whose Reds outfit have held onto a number of stars from last season’s Super League campaign, said he was impressed at what the Roughyeds had to offer.

"When we played them at the Willows I was struck by their size," he said.

"They’re such a big side for a National League Two outfit."

He also paid tribute to the efforts of coach Steve Deakin.

"They’re well-coached," he said. "But they also have speed, a good kicking game, and are clinical – in fact they have pretty much everything you need to be successful."