FAGAN TO FIX EK’S DEFENCE
Kilby snap up Rovers skipper for play-offs
New signing Sean Fagan admits he’s been brought in to shore up East Kilbride’s defence for their promotion push from the Lowland League.
And the former Albion Rovers captain admits it was the right decision for all involved to join Mick Kennedy’s men for an undisclosed fee last week.
Fagan spent six years with Rovers and this season has helped the Coatbridge club record the meanest defence in the fifth tier, conceding just 23 goals in 25 games.
Conversely, East Kilbride – who are just a few wins away from wrapping up the Lowland title – have let in 38 goals in 27 matches so Kilby have swooped to snap up a centre-back they feel can help the keep the door shut in their bid to win a place in League Two next season via the play-offs.
And Fagan, who will make his debut in Saturday’s league clash at East Stirling, said: “It wasn’t an easy decision for me, but I think it was the right one for both clubs going forward.
“In the summer I could have left for nothing so it made sense and it is a different challenge for me.
“East Kilbride are going for the league, pushing to get promoted for League Two, while Albion haven’t got much to play for in the league and they are out of every single cup as well.
“You look at the way East Kilbride play; they get on the ball a lot and there’s not really a lot of long balls.
“I think their style suits me, plus you can’t complain about joining a team that is top of the table.
“As we’ve seen, East Kilbride haven’t had the best defensive record.
“Albion Rovers have had the best defensive record this season and I think I’ve had a part to play in that, so obviously Mick needs some assurances at the back and I think I can give him that.
“He wants me to do what I’ve been doing at Albion and East Kilbride can start getting clean sheets now.
“I have a lot of League Two experience and, assuming we get to the play-offs, I’ve got a lot to bring to the team.”
Ironically, there is a scenario where East Kilbride’s trip to face Albion Rovers on April 2, could see them seal the title.
And that is not lost on Fagan The 23-year-old added: “We play Albion in a couple of weeks so that would really be something if I was to go back to Cliftonhill and be crowned champions with
East Kilbride – that would be wild.
“But I’m looking forward to going back there soon. The fans have been really good with me at Albion and there were a lot of nice messages on Twitter [now X].
“There were a lot of thank yous and things like that, there wasn’t any of the hostile stuff that some players get when they leave a club.”
Fagan was cup tied for Saturday’s 3-2 win over Ashfield in the South Challenge Cup quarter-finals and Tuesday night’s Lowland Cup clash with Bo’ness United, which kicked off as the News went to press.
”My first game should be Saturday at East Stirling. It will be nice to finally get the debut, ”he said.
“I watched the boys on Saturday and it looks like an enjoyable team to play in. The centre-halves get on the ball so much and I’m looking forward to showing what I can do.”