LEYTON Orient's Scott McGleish celebrated wildly when he scored against former club Wycombe Wanderers last weekend - but the veteran striker admits it will be a different story should he repeat the feat against Colchester on Saturday.

Stuart Watson

By Stuart Watson

LEYTON Orient's Scott McGleish celebrated wildly when he scored against former club Wycombe Wanderers last weekend - but the veteran striker admits it will be a different story should he repeat the feat against Colchester on Saturday.

The 35-year-old scored 34 goals in 78 appearances for the Chairboys, but after two and a half successful years at Adam Park left the club under a cloud following a public fall out with manager Peter Taylor.

McGleish faced Wycombe for the first time since that strained departure last weekend and, as is so often the way in football, he netted the winner in a 1-0 victory late on.

The striker did not hold back on the celebrations, but says he would have more respect for the U's should he net against them at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

“I have strong affection for Colchester United,” said McGleish, who scored 42 goals in 174 appearances during his two spells at the Essex club.

“I wouldn't ever apologise or not celebrate if I scored against them, but there certainly wouldn't be anything over the top like we have seen in the last few weeks.”

McGleish has failed to score against Colchester in three attempts so far, twice for Leyton Orient this year and once for Northampton in 2008, however, he has proved that he still has an eye for goal since signing for the O's.

Five goals during a loan spell at the back end of last season convinced former U's boss Geraint Williams to sign him permanently and he has already repaid that faith with four goals this campaign.

“I feel fit and that when a chance comes I'm ready to put it away, but we know Colchester is going to be a tough game.

“I always look out for my old clubs results and obviously had double interest in Colchester when my old Wycombe manager Paul Lambert was there.

“I got on really well with Paul and the stick he has got since leaving Colchester has probably been a little bit harsh.

“All and sundry are now saying they were unhappy at some point or another with Paul, but everyone thought he was the best thing since sliced bread after that 7-1 win over Norwich.

“It just shows how fickle football can be, but he's gone now and I dare say Colchester feel they are better off.”

Meanwhile, Gary Holt joined Suffolk non-league side Lowestoft Town yesterday. The 36-year-old former Scotland international was signed as a player-coach by former U's boss Paul Lambert in July but requested to leave the club after Aidy Boothroyd took over.

Holt has been training with Norwich City in recent weeks, but has been convinced to help out a Lowestoft side that has serious ambitions of moving up through the non-league pyramid.

Fact file

Scott McGleish

- First joined Colchester on loan from Peterborough in 1996 and immediately endeared himself to fans with six goals in 15 appearances

- It would be another five years before McGleish was seen in a U's shirt again though after he spent the three and a half seasons at Barnet

- Following the Bees relegation out of the Football League, Colchester picked him up for a bargain �15,000 in January

- He scored 16 goals in his first season, nine in his second and 17 in his third to confirm himself as the Essex club's 13th joint-highest ever scorer

- Left for Northampton on a free transfer in 2004 where he scored 54 goals in two and half seasons

- Signed for Wycombe in 2007 but, despite scoring 26 goals in his first season, was allowed to join Northampton on loan in November the following year

- Scored just three times in three months at the Cobblers, but the 35-year-old has rediscovered his scoring boots at Leyton Orient where he has netted nine times in 26 appearances