IBROX KID ON KILBY MISSION
Loan Ranger Mati aiming to put EK on road to the title
Rangers youngster Mati Zata says he is out to make a name for himself at East Kilbride after joining the club on a development loan until January.
The 17-year-old midfielder made his debut in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Stirling University, coming on as a 65th minute substitute, and he intends to make a big impact with the defending Lowland League champions.
Zata arrives as Kilby trail BSC Glasgow by two points at the top of the table.
But the teenager insists he’s at K-Park to set Kilby on the road to another league crown and hopes to learn as much as possible from playing against men week in, week out.
The Ibrox kid said: “People will be thinking that coming to the Lowland League is a step down but I see it as a chance to test myself in a team that wants to win and knows how to win.
“I don’t just expect to walk into the team because I’ve come from Rangers.
“I want to earn my way in by impressing the manager.
“I have heard about East Kilbride over the last few years and their unbeaten run last season, so it’s exciting to come here.
“I’m here to gain experience against older players. I’m playing against men in this league and I feel I have coped well so far.
“The players are a lot more physical than me, so it will be a test.
“But I can use my head instead of my body to make sure I don’t get involved in a physical battle if I don’t need to.
“I want to make a name for myself at East Kilbride and leave a good impression.
“My aim is to give back to the club for bringing me here and help them win the league.”
After starting his career with Alloa’s pro-youth side, Zata has spent the last four years with Rangers’ youth academy, playing alongside the likes of Gers U20 defender - and East Kilbride native - Jordan Houston and Scottish starlet Billy Gilmour, who joined Chelsea earlier this year. He also has two U15 appearances for Scotland under his belt. During his debut on Saturday he almost got his K-Park stint off to a dream start when a chance fell to him in the second half but he couldn’t keep his volley on target. An articulate and confident young man, it appears little will faze him during his stay. Asked about his debut, he said: “I felt it went quite well. “I know it will take a bit of time to gel with the rest of the players but I didn’t feel out of place. “It would have been great to score but I’m sure another chance will come along soon and I’ll put it away. “I caught the ball the best I’ve ever caught a ball, I think, but I just couldn’t quite keep it down. If I don’t catch it as well, it probably goes in. These things happen. “If I can score goals here that’s great but I like to break down attacks just as much as I like to start them. “Hopefully, I can make my mark on the team in the coming weeks.” Zata, who will miss Saturday’s trip to Gretna as he is attending his sister’s wedding in France, has impressed Kilby boss Billy Stark (left). “Mati is here to give us energy and legs,” said Stark. “He’s a strong boy, a powerful runner who scored a lot of goals for Rangers’ under17s last season. “He’s a box-to-box midfielder and will bring a lot to the squad.”