DO DOUBLE ON ROVERS
EK boss Kennedy wants maximum points
East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy has challenged his side to take six points from Albion Rovers this week as they face a rare double-header in the Lowland League.
All sides in the fifth tier are playing the same team twice over the festive period, with matches home and away in the space of four days.
As the News went to press, Kilby were set to face Albion Rovers at K-Park on Boxing Day, before travelling to Cliftonhill to play Sandy Clark’s Rovers in the return fixture on December 30.
And Kennedy hopes his league leaders can do the double on the Coatbridge men to end the year on a high, whilst preserving an eight-point lead at the top.
He said: “It’s a bit unique and a bit strange at the same time. I don’t see the benefit of this situation, but that’s what we face.
“It seems to be the case across the board so we just get on with it.
“This part of the season will be pivotal.
“It would be good to pick up six points and that’s what we want to do, but we know it won’t be as easy as that.
“Sandy Clark and George [Paterson, the assistant manager] are very experienced coaches.
They will have them well-drilled and they won’t be easy games, but we are looking forward to it.
“When we get to the end of January I imagine it will be down to two or three of us competing for the title.
“So it is an important time to pick up points.”
Rovers are down in the bottom half of the table, following their relegation from League Two last term, and Kennedy reckons that isn’t a true reflection of what the side are capable of.
He added: “I think Albion Rovers will feel they’ve underachieved, to be honest.
“They have got some very good players and they are particularly good at the top end of the pitch.
“They are probably not in the right position in the league with the quality they have within the group, but they have some games in hand, and if they win them, I think it pushes them up the table significantly and things look a bit brighter.
“I’m sure they would have hoped to be nearer the top at this point in the season.”
• Meanwhile, East Kilbride have signed Motherwell goalkeeper Matty Connelly on loan until the end of the season and defender Callum Tapping has been released from his contract due to family commitments.