EX-RANGERS ACE JOINS EK
Kyle Hutton on board for Aitken’s revolution
Former Rangers star Kyle Hutton insists he’s relishing the chance to feel the pressure of expectation again after joining Lowland League East Kilbride.
The 29-year-old won four trophies during a five-year spell at Ibrox between 2010-2015 and joins Kilby following his release from League One Dumbarton.
Hutton has linked up with his former Sons gaffer Stevie Aitken and Rangers legend Ian Durrant after the pair sold him on their plans to conquer the Lowland League this season.
Kilby will be favourites for the title after a summer signing spree that has seen nine players join, including the likes of former Premiership stars Chris Erskine and Paul Paton.
And while fifth tier Kilby are a far cry from the heights he hit with Rangers, Hutton can’t wait to have the weight of expectation on his shoulders at K-Park.
He said: “My whole time at Rangers we were expected to go out and win every game, regardless.
“Having that expectation is a good thing and I think East Kilbride is the perfect place for me to go and experience that pressure again, of having to go and win a title.
“Having that one goal is great. “Maybe I missed that in my time at Dumbarton, where it was always about staying in the league first and foremost and then, if you get to the playoffs, it’s a bonus.
“At EK the expectation is to go out and win the league and you’ve got that pressure of needing to win every week.
“I want to experience that pressure again. That’s probably the reason why a lot of the boys have signed here.”
Hutton claimed a Premier League title and a League Cup before helping the Light Blues claim the Third Division and League One titles on their climb back up the leagues, following the club’s plunge into administration in 2012.
While he’s no stranger to silverware, that doesn’t mean he’s expecting Kilby to walk the title amidst fierce competition from fellow ex-Ranger Barry Ferguson, whose Kelty Hearts side are reigning champions.
Hutton added: “I know that football isn’t won on paper.
“We are under no illusions how difficult it’s going to be. We don’t think we are going to get the cigars out and romp the league.
“No-one is in that frame of mind and every team is going to raise their level against us, so we need to be prepared for that.”