Jack’s the lad as loan deal is arranged
Jack Smith has returned to East Kilbride on loan from Stenhousemuir.
The striker was Kilby’s top scorer last season with 34 goals and boss Martin Lauchlan is hoping he can find that kind of form once again after adding Smith to his list of striking options for their Lowland League title push.
Last month Lauchlan came close to agreeing a deal to seal the prolific striker’s return, but he failed to reach an agreement with the Warriors.
However, the League One bottom dogs Stenny have come round to the idea and have allowed Smith to leave Ochilview on a short-term deal until January.
Lauchlan, whose side are on a 29-game winning run and beat Ajax’s world record for consecutive wins last week, said:“This team is flying right now, but I still feel we need some reinforcements.
“We need to add pace to our attack and Jack will provide that.
“His is a proven goalscorer at this level, but it has not worked out for him at Stenny, for whatever reason.
“This is a good bit of business for us and, hopefully, Jack can kick on from where he left off.
“He hasn’t played for us since March and since he moved to Stenny he’s hardly had a sniff, so he’ll need to build his fitness quickly.”
The son of former Airdrie and Dunfermline legend Andy Smith, the 21-year-old scored twice for East Kilbride against Brown Ferguson’s Stenny in the Scottish Cup last season, knocking them out of the competition in round three with a 2-1 victory after extra-time.
Smith, who has made nine appearances for the Warriors, bolsters a strong attacking line-up at K-Park, which includes Portuguese hitman Joao Victoria and Ross McNeil.