East Kilbride News

They’re two of a kind

Bosses Lauchlan and Burchill have same qualities says new EK signing Kieran Gibbons

- Paul Thomson

New East Kilbride signing Kieran Gibbons says he sees parallels between Martin Lauchlan and his old boss Mark Burchill.

The 21-year-old played under Burchill at Livingston last season, but ended up going out on loan to Cowdenbeat­h for the final six months of the campaign after the ex-Celtic striker was sacked in December.

However, Burchill alerted East Kilbride to Gibbons during the summer and, after he impressed on trial, they have snapped him up in time for the Lowland League kick-off on Saturday.

Lauchlan and Burchill were room-mates at Scotland Under-18 level when they were starring for the Hoops and St Johnstone, respective­ly, in the late 1990s.

And midfielder Gibbons told the News: “They are very similar people, with a similar style of management, so I can see why they are good friends.

“They develop bonds with their players and speak to them a lot. That’s the best way to be.

“They don’t beat around the bush. They’ll put their arm around a player when they need a bit of support, but they are not afraid to tell players off.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Mark Burchill.

“From day one at Livi, he was brilliant with me, so for him to recommend me to Martin was great and I thank him for that.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for both.”

Gibbons made 24 appearance­s for the Lions last term and hit the headlines in November after a controvers­ial tackle on then Rangers star Nathan Oduwa.

His challenge, which went unpunished, was criticised by Gers boss Mark Warburton, but Burchill defended his player.

Following Burchill’s dismissal at Livi, Gibbons was farmed out to the Blue Brazil, who ended up being relegated to League Two.

Gibbons was released by the Lions at the end of the season and has no regrets about dropping down to the Lowland League.

He said: “When I went on loan to Cowdenbeat­h, the main thing for me was to play games and keep learning.

“The club got relegated and that’s never a good feeling.

“It was hard to take and I’m just looking forward to a new challenge and playing games for East Kilbride.

“I had other offers, but I was impressed with what Martin wants to do here.

“I don’t see it as a step down. I saw East Kilbride against Celtic last year (in the Scottish Cup) and I was impressed by them.

“They are a really good team that’s going places.

“There’s a lot of talented players here, too, who could all play at a higher level but buy in to what East Kilbride are trying to do.”

Meanwhile, East Kilbride have also completed the signings of exClyde defender Fabio Capuano and former Cowdenbeat­h midfielder Declan Hughes.

Lauchlan said: “That’s three good lads we’ve brought in.

“Kieran goes about his business quietly, but he’s an excellent player.

“Fabio is very fit and gets up and down the park well. Declan will add quality to the middle of the park. He has missed a bit of pre-season, so it will take him a couple of weeks to get fit.” • EK’s hopes of signing ex-

Rangers star Nacho Novo were dashed on Tuesday when he signed for Irish Premiershi­p side Glentoran.

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 ?? 280716ekfc_09 ?? On boardGibbo­ns played against Tynecastle on Saturday Simliar style Gibbons wants to impress Lauchlan as much as he did Burchill (left)
280716ekfc_09 On boardGibbo­ns played against Tynecastle on Saturday Simliar style Gibbons wants to impress Lauchlan as much as he did Burchill (left)
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