McNeil not a shoe-in despite goals tally
Pic: Craig Potter East Kilbride striker Ross McNeil may have netted four first half goals against Hawick, but boss Billy Stark has warned the striker is not guaranteed a starting slot.
McNeil bagged a threeminute hat-trick and completed his scoring for the day just before half-time.
With the points in the bag, he was substituted at the break with Stark taking off McNeil and Kieran Gibbons and replacing them with Aidan Ferris and new signing Keiran Campbell.
McNeil’s goal spree took him joint-top of the league’s scoring charts. Despite this, Stark insisted there was no certainty he would be one of the first names on the team sheet.
The Kilby gaffer said: “Form is something that can change over the space of a few weeks so I don’t think anyone is guaranteed a place in the team, but we are pleased that Ross is in good goal scoring form.
“When you have an individual scoring like that, it’s always a nice feat for him.”
Hawick, who accepted the resignation of their management team Kenny Aitchison and first team coach Jamie Hamilton two days prior to the match, lost 10-0 against Selkirk earlier in the season and Stark reckons his side were unfortunate not to come away with a similar scoreline.
He said: “Their keeper was at fault for some of the goals we scored, but he had a stormer of a game after that and stopped us scoring more.
“Coogans missed a couple of chances as well, but I’m pleased he got a goal late to keep his good scoring run going.
“But we are happy to keep another clean sheet.”
Kilby now travel to Galashiels on Saturday to face Gala Fairydean Rovers, aiming to keep their grip on top spot in the table.
And Stark added: “They will be stiff opposition.
“Stirling University have been going really well and Gala beat them 3-1 on Saturday, so that shows we can expect a tough game.”
●Kick-off at Netherdale is 3pm.