EK GET DOWN TO BUSINESS
Five fresh faces in the door as boss eyes more
East Kilbride boss Kevin Rutkiewicz has brought in five fresh faces and is looking to bring in more new signings to bolster his squad for next season’s Lowland League title tilt.
The former Aberdeen and St Johnstone star has signed up defenders Jonathan Page, Conor Morgan, and 26-year-old midfielder Andy Black from Kelty Hearts, with a fourth and fifth signing already secured ahead of being officially announced in the coming days.
The club are in talks with Portuguese striker Joao Victoria over a new contract, while defender Jamie Stevenson, midfielder Chris Millar and goalkeeper Connor Brennan have all left K-Park. Luke Kenny has returned to St Mirren following his loan.
Rutkiewicz revealed he is in talks with various potential targets, but says they have to want to come to East Kilbride for the right reasons.
He said: “I’m pleased so far. We’re having to be a wee bit patient, but we’re delighted with some of the business that we’re doing, and hopefully that will continue.
“We got a fourth signed over the weekend and another one on Tuesday that we will officially announce, but there will be more to come as well.
“It’s obviously a very important time, and you’re only as good as your recruitment, really, so we’re hoping to get a few more done
“We can then keep forging forward. We’re speaking to a lot of people, but we don’t have a plethora of offers out there, because I think we have to be absolutely sure, once we start putting out offers.
“They’ve got to want to come to East Kilbride for the right reasons. We have to make sure players are arriving here hungry, desperate to be here, and desperate to come on the journey.”
On the players leaving the club, Rutkiewicz added: “Jamie has agreed a contract with Berwick, and we otherwise would have had a discussion, he did really well for me and I loved having him about the club, so there is a wee tinge of disappointment there.
“Chris I played with for five or six years at St Johnstone and it was a very hard decision.
“If you look at it, if you take out the young boys, we’re probably sitting around six or seven, so we have at least four to bring in.
“We’re certainly looking to bring in another three or four at least, maybe five. The obvious one
to address is a goalkeeper, and we’re actively talking to several parties.”
Ex-Stirling Albion boss Rutkiewicz says new recruit Jonathan Page is a player who has a wealth of experience, Conor Morgan brings a bit of fire, and ex-Kelty Hearts star Andy Black, 26, is a dynamic holding midfielder.
He added:“Johnny is a player I’ve always been well aware of, and I like his age.
“He’s in his early-30s, he comes with a wealth of experience, but speaking to Johnny, he just seems to have the bit between his teeth at the minute.
“I’m hoping to see an experienced player, somebody who is eager to help push the club towards a successful season.
“Big Conor is a player who came in to Stirling after Covid, we had a look at him.
“He hadn’t trained in a long time and had to play football, so we manoeuvred him into Rossvale and we [would have] had first dibs on him, at Stirling. Bill [Orr, his assistant manager] and I moved quickly.
“He’s a big presence, he’s 6ft 5ins, a placid fellow off the park, but certainly brings a bit of fire on it.
“He impressed in the games that I managed to get to, to see how he has developed, and I’m excited for him.
“We’re still looking to add in there, but I do feel that area is looking a bit more healthy.
“Andy Black is a holding midfielder, but a very dynamic holding midfielder. He’s not the sitting-off type, he’s very front-footed and very aggressive in the way that he plays.
“Andy is a player that I’ve always liked, I’ve tried to nab him a couple of times and haven‘t been successful.
“Kelty were looking to keep him, but he wanted to come and be part of something that is hopefully going to be pretty special.
“He has taken a big leap of faith in us, to come here from League One, so we’re delighted to get him on board.”