It’s not only Kilby’s Lowland League side who are hunting trophies... the U20s are chasing a quadruple and the U17s are doing well too

really consistent this season, scoring the most goals in the league (63) and conceding the fewest (23).

“With three games in hand, we are hopeful we can go all the way.

“We’ve still got two quarter-finals to play and a league title to go for. “The boys want to win them all. “It’s a big ask to win all four trophies but I don’t see why we can’t. “You’ve got to shoot for the moon. “The commitment of the players has been first class. It’s tough for them to get away from work or university to make a 7.45pm kick-off on a Friday night but they all manage it and put in great performances for us every week.

“Getting Craig and Ally – both local guys – on board has been huge as well.

“Craig is a perfect fit for us. He’s managed the EK first team before and managed Airdrie’s under-20s so he knows exactly what is needed and can determine what it takes for players to make the step-up up from U20s to senior.

“Ally played over 600 games at senior level so to have that kind of experience is invaluable.

“We have a great team and we hope to keep building on this success.”

So what is that success down to? Well, both the under-20 and under-17 sides train regularly with the first team squad and Mullin reckons that has been a key factor. Not only is it shaping them for a step-up to the first team, it’s making them bigger, stronger, more assured and building confidence when they turn out for their parent side. It’s also building a winning mentality. UEFA B Licence coach Mullin works closely with the first team and his father Jim, Kilby’s director of football who has held youth coaching and scouting roles at both Celtic and Rangers.

And the 39-year-old explained: “There is great interaction between the three sides.

“Some of the under-17s have stepped up to train and play with the under-20s this season and the under-20s have done the same with the first team.

“Some nights both the development teams have trained with the main squad, so that’s great experience for door of the first team.”

Chances to make the breakthrough to the Lowland squad has been tough this season with them firing on all cylinders, although Millar and Anderson have featured.

But Mullin is hopeful more of his young starlets will get first-team action in the coming weeks.

He said: “This has been the hardest season our players have ever had to get into the first team.

“The Lowland squad is stronger than ever but we’ve tried to make sure the development players are prepared to play alongside that standard of player – and be ready to dislodge them.

“If the first team win the league this weekend, there’s a real appetite at the club to get the younger ones games with the Lowland team so they can show what they are made of.”

When you get to U17 and U20 level, there has to be a winning mentality if you are going to make the step-up