Manager merry-go-round not an issue

Craig Malcolm insists the revolving door of managers at East Kilbride doesn’t adversely affect them.

The Kilby skipper is set to play under his third manager in two years, as the club look to appoint their eighth gaffer in seven seasons. Malcolm has played under Billy Stark, Brian Kerr and, until last week, Stuart Malcolm since first joining the club in February 2018.

With Stuart Malcolm moving to League One Forfar, Jim Paterson and

Dean Shanks have been handed the reins for now on an interim basis and striker Malcolm said: “There’s boys who’ve been here for a few years and played under a few managers, so it seems to be a regular thing.

“It happened last year [when Stuart Malcolm replaced Kerr after eight league games] and it never affected us. If anything, it helped us kick on and go to the next level, so hopefully we can do the same again.

“We’ve got players here who are capable – we proved that last year – so somebody has got to come in and give the boys belief and a bit of confidence back. Jimmy and Deano have come in and changed things up and the boys have reacted to it.

“There’s a bit of positivity and smiles on faces, which has been lacking a bit. Hopefully we can go on a wee run now – because we need to.”

Experienced names including former Dumbarton gaffer Stevie Aitken and Rangers hero Ian Durrant have been touted as the next EK boss.

But Malcolm is backing the caretaker team and doesn’t believe the club necessarily need a big name.

He added:“I think there’s enough experience in the dressing room.

“We just need to get back to playing well and doing what we did last year. Whoever comes in, they need to get us back to that level.

“The boys are going to back Jimmy and Deano all the way. You can see we are buying into what they are doing.”