Boss backs Stuart
Paul Kean defends Kilby gaffer Malcolm
East Kilbride manager Stuart Malcolm has been given a vote of confidence from the club’s owner.
Kilby have endured a torrid start to the defence of their Lowland League title and fell 11 points off the top of the table on Saturday, following a 2-0 defeat to league leaders Bonnyrigg Rose.
Malcolm’s men sit seventh in the table and have dropped more points in the first 10 games than they did in the entirety of last season.
Their 17 points accrued so far is their lowest-ever tally after 10 games in the Lowland League.
But with uncertainty surrounding his position at the K-Park, the Kilby gaffer has received the backing of Kean, who believes the club can still turn things around under the current manager.
Asked if Malcolm’s job was under threat, Kean told the News: “Not at the moment. Stuart has still got a job to do.
“It’s been a bad start to the season, but now he’s got to stand up to the job.
“The board of East Kilbride has not spoken about replacing him.
“He’s been given the job until the end of the season and he still has that job.
“At the moment there is enough quality in the squad to turn it around.
“There’s been a few niggling injuries to players that haven’t helped, but there’s still enough time.
“We are only 10 games in to the season. “There’s a long way to go.” Malcolm this week insisted he is the man to get Kilby out of the hole they are in.
Almost a year since he took over from Brian Kerr, last season’s title-winning gaffer has led Kilby to their worstever start in the league.
And he said: “We’ve only ever been in third gear at best this season and nowhere near the levels we are capable of.
“I’m the manager and I’m the one that carries the can for that because it’s my responsibility.
“There’s no shirking away from that.
“But we managed to win the title with three games to spare last season, so we’ve shown what we are capable of and I believe I can continue to get the best out of these players.
“I still believe I’m the one to take the club forward.”
Asked about his position, Malcolm added: “As far as I’m concerned it’s business as usual, until I’m told otherwise.
“I’ve had no indication of anything different.
“We’ve all been working hard collectively since the start of the season.
“We had that intensity I know we are capable of in the Betfred Cup matches, so I know it’s there.
“It’s about getting back to those levels now.”