Home where heart is for Nicky after Kelty switch
NICKY LOW has vowed to “work as hard as I can” in a Kelty Hearts jersey after completing a temporary move to the club.
The 30-year-old midfielder made his home debut during Saturday’s victory over Airdrieonians having signed up at New Central Park, on loan from Arbroath, last month until January.
Former Aberdeen and Dundee player Low’s switch to the League One side took many by surprise, having played 28 games for the Red Lichties last season as they embarked on an unlikely challenge for promotion to the Premiership.
A desire to play closer to home was at the heart of the Greenock-born player’s decision, who also revealed to Press Sport that a switch to one of his parent club’s Championship rivals was a non-starter.
“The boys have looked after me since I’ve come here, the gaffer’s been good, the backroom staff, so hopefully it works in my favour,” he explained.
“I’m here until January so I’ll work as hard as possible and see where it takes me.
“I met the gaffer; most managers don’t do it, they just phone and say, ‘Do you want to come’? He kind of sold the club to me once I’d spoken to him, and it was easy after I’d spoken to the gaffer and Andy Barrowman (Kelty’s sporting director).
“I’ve played against Kelty a few times and plus I know of a few of those boys so it’s easier to settle in because at least someone will talk to you! Ideally, I come here, I play well every week, the team wins every week and we push up that table, but football’s not like that.
“I’ll work as hard as I can, as long as I am here wearing the Kelty jersey, and hopefully we push on. Winning breeds confidence around the changing room and, hopefully, we can take that on to next week.”
After making his bow for the club in a 2-1 defeat at Peterhead in their previous league outing, Low helped Kelty to SPFL Trust Trophy progression at Annan Athletic before the victory over the Diamonds, which was the team’s second successive home win.
“I came here to win football games. First and foremost, I want to play football, but I love winning,” he continued.
“I’m a winner so I hope that rubs off on the boys here. Even in training, I love winning. I’m delighted to be here and, hopefully, we keep winning because, when you go home on a Saturday night and chill on the couch, you can’t beat it when you win football games.
“Obviously, I’m just here, but the last two games we’ve deserved to win, so hopefully we can kickon and get another win at Edinburgh, and take that into our home game (with Queen of the South on Tuesday).
“But, listen, it’s one game at a time. We’re all delighted in there; it was a big win. There’s a feelgood factor about the club just now, in that changing room, and long may that continue. That only comes with winning games, so we need to keep winning.
“We knew coming into the game that Airdrie were going to have a lot of the ball. It’s the way they play; they play out from the back.
“You’ve got to work really hard to match them and, to be fair, I don’t think our goalkeeper’s had a save to make, which tells its own story. We had the better chances in the game so, overall, we absolutely deserved to win the game. A clean sheet was well deserved. It’s a massive win for the club so hopefully we can kick-on.”