East Kilbride manager Mick Kennedy wants his side to claim victory at Montrose this weekend to stay in contention at the top of League One ahead of a significant double-header with title favourites Hamilton Accies and Ross County.
Kennedy watched his team secure a comfortable 3-0 win over Cove Rangers at K-Park, moving them into second place in the table. They sit two points behind leaders Hamilton Accies and one point ahead of third-placed Ross County, who have a game in hand after being involved in Premier Sports Cup action over the weekend.
Montrose Challenge and Upcoming Fixtures
East Kilbride travel to Links Park this Saturday to face rock-bottom Montrose, a side yet to earn a point this season. Montrose have scored only one goal in three matches while conceding 10.
After the Montrose clash, East Kilbride face a Saturday night trip to face Ross County on August 29, broadcast on BBC Alba, before hosting derby rivals Hamilton Accies on September 5. Kennedy does not want any slip-ups ahead of this demanding period early in the season.
Kennedy told Lanarkshire Live Sport: “We just need to go to Montrose this week to try and get three points to stay with Hamilton ahead of going to Ross County the following week.”
He added: “We have Hamilton right after Ross County so it is a big spell. We will have played the five full-time teams in the first six games of the season so if we come out of that close to the top of the table, I would be delighted.”
Respect for Full-Time Opposition
Kennedy acknowledged the difficulty of the Montrose match, saying: “Montrose will be difficult. They have had a big turnover of players in the summer and there is probably just a level of adjustment required there. I’m sure at some point that will sort itself out so we need to make sure we go there and put in a strong performance. Then we will go to Ross County and have a proper go in that one because we feel we are in a good place.”
Despite major financial issues last season and significant debts, Hamilton Accies have spent heavily in the summer, bringing in players such as Andy Ryan and Dom Thomas. They cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over Airdrie, leading the league with nine points, 10 goals scored and none conceded.
Kennedy recognises Hamilton as the main competition this term. He said: “I think on paper, if you look at the experience Hamilton and Ross County have, they are the teams to beat. The fact they are full-time, the Championship and League One experience in there, with such strong squads, it is not a surprise they are where they are. We just have to try and stay in amongst them.”
He highlighted the advantage of full-time status: “The big advantage they have is being full-time, I’ve said that many times. I don’t care if they have got big budgets and all that stuff that’s happened, it is about being able to have the time to control the guys’ environment during the week and the fact you are on the pitch five times a week with them. That is such an advantage that I wish we had, but we don’t, so we need to utilise our time as best we can. It is no surprise to me that Hamilton are top of the league.”
