Scott sets his sights on 250 goals

Orient hit-man Scott McGleish might have scored his 200th league goal – but he has no intentions of hanging his boots up just yet.

McGleish reached the milestone at Charlton last Saturday and was on the scoresheet again on Tuesday night in Orient’s 2-0 win against Plymouth Argyle.

But now the 37-year-old has set himself new targets.

He wants to reach 250 career goals and keep on playing for Orient next season.

“You always have to set yourself targets. That’s what I do at the start of every season,” he said.

“It was tremendous to reach 200 league goals on Saturday, especially as it was at Charlton and against one of my former clubs. But it doesn’t stop there,” added the much-travelled striker, who took his goal tally for the season to 17 when he netted on Tuesday night.

“Now I want to get to 20 this season and carry on playing.

“I need another 11 to reach 250 career goals and us to reach the play-offs is another target,” he said.

But whether or not Orient make the top six, McGleish, whose contract is up at the end of the season, wants to stay on at Brisbane Road.

“I might be 37, but I would love to be here next season,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying it here and I feel wanted.

“I know it’s my third spell here, but it’s been great to come back and I want to stay.

“I’m sure the time will come at the end of April or May when we sit down and talk about whether it will be a yea or a nay for next season. Hopefully it will be a yea.”

McGleish, still feels he has a lot to offer on the playing front and although he has ambitions of football management, the priority at the moment is to try and steer Orient towards the play-offs.

After Tuesday night’s win, the O’s are just three points behind Bournemouth and McGleish is optimistic about making the top six.

“I can’t see any reason why we can’t make it,” said the much-travelled striker.

“We have got seven games left to go and we had to beat Plymouth to keep us in the race and now it’s up to us to keep putting the pressure on the teams above us.”

Orient have four of their last seven games at home and have lost just three times in the league at Brisbane Road this season.

“Our home form is good and we have got to try and keep the momentum going. I think we have got a big shout of getting into the top seven,” he said.

McGleish is the club’s top scorer this season and still believes he has something to offer but admits: “I would love to go into management one day.

“I’m sure 90 per cent of players see it as their next stop and I would love to do it.

“I already run a school team and really enjoy it.”

McGleish is cutting his managerial teeth running a school team in Shenley, where his two boys Jack and Harry play.

“We won 14-0 last week,” smiled McGleish, who is sure to retain his competitive edge in management.

So have his boys got the goalscorong instinct like their dad?

“I’m not sure,” said McGleish. “Jack’s a centre half and Harry’s a winger.”