Joy of six for Kev as he bags first victory
East Kilbride boss Kevin Rutkiewicz tasted his first victory in charge with a six-goal blitz over Bo’ness, but insisted he and assistant Bill Orr can’t take any credit for the display.
Having suffered a shock South Challenge Cup exit to Sauchie on his dugout debut and a league draw with Berwick, Rutkiewicz got up and running on Saturday as his side brushed Bo’ness aside 6-0 at Newtown Park.
A Cammy Elliot hat-trick, plus strikes from Joao Victoria, Neil McLaughlin and Reece McGuire earned the club’s 22nd win of the season in 33 games.
It leaves them second in the table going into Saturday’s final game of the campaign against champions Bonnyrigg Rose, and a point ahead of third-place Celtic B, who have a game in hand.
Rutkiewicz said: “It was a great response from the boys and I said to the players after the game it has got nothing to do with what Bill and I have done,” said the 41-year-old.
“That was a performance where our players just did what they are good at.
“We’ve only had two training sessions with them, we’ve not had time to work on tactics and small tweaks we want to bring in. That was just what they’ve been doing for most of the last few months.
“It was a good performance with high energy and they were really clinical in front of goal.
“I’m delighted with the clean sheet as well and just to get that first win is a great feeling.
“To get a win like that means they can finish the season with a smile on their face and we can deal with contracts and things like that as the weeks progress.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with the three points and the result with Rangers [a 4-0 defeat to Stirling Uni] went our way as well, in terms of us finishing second.”
Rutkiewicz heaped praise on striker Cammy Elliot after he took his league goals tally to 10 for the season.
He also assisted Neil McLaughlin’s goal and Rutkiewicz believes the 22-year-old has found his form again after the upheaval of former boss Chris Aitken’s exit.
Rutkiewicz explained: “It’s great seeing Cammy when he’s got a smile on his face.
“In the last couple of games I think he’s been trying a wee bit too hard.
“It was great to see him express himself and he was class on Saturday.
“He’s an athlete, he’s quick, he’s powerful – and all that was on show.”