Kilby’s Smart plans
New boy determined to get career back on track
East Kilbride’s new signing Smart Osadolor says he will look to the world’s most expensive footballer Paul Pogba for inspiration to get his career back on track.
The 25-year-old Nigerian joined Lowland League Kilby on Monday night, despite signing for Stranraer in May. Osadolor has been discarded by Blues boss Brian Reid after playing just 28 minutes of football but he is determined to fight his way back to the senior game with East Kilbride. And after French superstar Pogba this week sealed an £89m return to Manchester United – the club he played for as a youth before being offloaded to Juventus – Osadolor says he will use that story to push him on. He told the News: “I’m just as confused as everyone else as to why I’ve left Stranraer so soon. “If Brian Reid doesn’t think I’m good enough to play in League One that’s his opinion but I’ve got every belief in myself that I can play at that level and higher.
“Just because you leave a club in a higher league doesn’t mean you are not good enough anymore.
“Paul Pogba is a good example of that right now.
“He left Manchester United because he was deemed not good enough, was sold to Juventus and now he’s back.
“Football is a journey and things don’t happen overnight.
“I want to play at the highest level and I want to take my opportunity at East Kilbride to show what I can do. “People who know me know how much hard work I put in to keep improving every day and I will continue to do that.” Osadolor scored 13
goals in 39 appearances for Annan last season and Stranraer were so keen to sign him they secured his services on a pre-contract agreement, fighting off competition from Clyde and Albion Rovers.
However, Brian Reid has deemed him surplus to requirements following the signing of ex-Hearts star Christian Nade and the emergence of young talent Calvin Kemp.
Now Osadolor, who made a substitute appearance for Stranraer in a 2-1 win over his old club Annan in the Betfred Cup last month, wants to concentrate on doing his best for a manager who wants him.
The capture of the pacy forward comes after Lauchlan twice failed to sign him in the past.
“Martin tried to sign me before I joined Annan and also last season before I ended up going to Stranraer so it’s third time lucky for him,” said Osadolor.
“My main goal here is to win the league. Martin has brought in a lot of experienced players and there’s a lot of quality in this team.
“By bringing me in he’s showing that we want to play in League Two next season.
“And I hope to play a big part in getting the team there.
“Playing for a manager who wants you gives you that extra push to do well for him and the team.
Kilby fans may remember their new hitman from last season’s Scottish Cup campaign, when Osadolor was part of the Annan side that knocked out Hamilton Accies in the fourth round. His gaffer is expecting big things from his eighth summer signing and the new recruit has vowed to entertain East Kilbride fans.
Osadolor added:“I’m hoping the fans will enjoy my style of play.
“In my first game at Stranraer the fans there saw what I could do with my pace and they seemed to like it.
“Every game I want to excite the fans and entertain them when I get the ball.
“People who know me know how much hard work I put in to keep improving every day and I will continue to do that at EK.”
Kilby gaffer Lauchlan said:“We are delighted to get this over the line.
“He’s absolutely rapid and he will be an excellent signing for us.
“He can play up top or in the wider positions and I expect him to hit the ground running.”