EAST KILBRIDE SIGNINGS WILL BE 'EYEBROW-RAISING', SAYS BOSS MICK KENNEDY

New East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy expects next week to announce 14 ‘eyebrow-raising’ summer signings as the club return to pre-season training.

Kennedy admits he gave himself a massive rebuilding job by releasing 21 existing players and keeping two – though he expects both of those to move on shortly as well.

The former Darvel gaffer is bringing his players back in on Tuesday, June 6, and has lined up friendlies against Queen of the South and Ayr United.

Kennedy says things are falling into place, but knows his target is the Lowland League title.

He said: “I’ve created myself a massive rebuild, so I’ve been extremely busy, but we’re getting there.

“We’ve probably got about 14 signed so far and we’ve got a few more to get over the line.

“There is some real quality in there, so I’m sure there will be some eyebrows raised.

“Ideally, we will run with a squad of 18 to 20, absolute maximum, but 18 would be the perfect number.

“We have a really strong under-20s, there is some real quality in there and I want to make sure we create a pathway for them to come in and be part of the first-team on a regular basis.

“We’ll start back a bit earlier than normal, on June 6, which is obviously next week, and we’ve got some good quality booked in with Queen of the South and Ayr United.”

Kennedy says Kilby’s central location makes recruitment easier than he has had before, and says it’s time for the K-Park club to achieve its potential.

He said: “I think when you speak to people within the club [under-achieving[ would certainly be their perception of the last few years.

“From an outsiders’ perspective, looking at the infrastructure, the support afforded to the club, I think everyone would say they probably have under-achieved.

“I think that’s why, no disrespect, there has been a high turnover of managers over the last few years as well.

“I think everybody’s opinion within the club is that I don’t think they’ve reached the levels they would expect to.

“The reality is that the profile of East Kilbride, being centrally-located and with the infrastructure that’s in place, they’re already a quite well known club within the country, so it’s an easier process, in terms of building it.”

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2023-06-02T05:11:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd