Bob’s gone from the Champions League to living the Kelty dream with Barry
Bob Malcolm was at Rangers when they won Trebles and had final-day dramas to lift league titles.
But, for him, being just two games away from getting into League Two with Kelty Hearts through the pyramid system is right up there with everything else.
The Lowland League champions have just defeated their Highland counterparts, Brora Rangers, for the right to face Brechin City.
The first leg will take place on Tuesday night at New Central Park in front of 250 supporters. The decisive 90 minutes will follow on Saturday.
Malcolm – assistant manager to Barry Ferguson – told The Sunday Post: “This is a massive week for the football club.
“It wasn’t too long ago we didn’t think we’d be allowed to have play-offs. But the authorities rubber-stamped it, and now we are 180 minutes away from playing in League 2.
“It was important for the reputation of Scottish football that this happened. It would have been really poor if they told us the playoffs were cancelled once again.
“I’m delighted for the players. A few weeks ago they were constantly on the phone, asking for updates. But we had nothing concrete to tell them.
“I felt sad for them because I know how much they’ve all put into this. Not just this season, but also last season.
“Now they are on the verge, and I can feel their excitement.
“I’m also really excited, and I have to say I’m buzzing for Barry and the players. We’re in a really good place, and the spirit we have around the club is second to none.
“The owners and the committee are also due enormous credit. They’ve been working really hard on this for three or four years, and they deserve success.
“It’s now up to us to deliver it. Barry and I are well aware of the expectations. We’re ready for the challenge, and we’re up for it.
“Barry played at the highest level for club and country for 15 years. I was also lucky enough to taste some big moments.
“But coaching and management gets you in a different way. It’s hard to describe.
“There is so much riding on this. Barry knows his stuff and knows what makes the players tick. He’s an impressive manager.”
While Ferguson had a more-illustrious playing career, Malcolm didn’t do too badly himself, winning all the domestic honours with Rangers and playing in the Champions League.
If it doesn’t go to plan for Kelty over the next week, they will remain in the Lowland League next season.
That means they will have Rangers Colts and Celtic Colts for company as they are on course to be granted permission to field an Under-20 team in Scotland’s fifth tier.
Malcolm, now 40, reckons it will be a tough environment for the teenagers to learn their trade, but that it will be a worthwhile move.
He said: “I came through the system at Rangers, and there was a pathway to the first-team at that time.
“But there was no easy stuff. We had to be brave, and we needed to stand up for ourselves.
“It was more than 20 years ago, and back then we still had the likes of Stuart McCall and Ian Durrant playing in the reserves, if they were on their way back from injury and trying to top up their fitness.
“John Brown was also involved. So there was no hiding place. We needed to show what we were all about. It was as simple as that.
“I enjoyed the tests. It was a brilliant education.
“I wanted to show I could handle it all, whether it was the physical challenges or the verbal volleys.
“I’ve a feeling it will be quite similar for the Rangers and Celtic Colts next season.
“The Lowland League has some very good players, and many former professionals who have been at a high level in Scottish football for a number of years.
“They will be ready for this, and they will provide a stiff test for the youngsters in every game. “Listen, make no mistake, the players at Bonnyrigg, East Kilbride, BSC and the rest will be ready. They’ll all be looking forward to it. “I’m sure the young players from Rangers and Celtic will get more out of this than they would out of playing non-competitive games, and friendlies against European clubs.
“It’s going to be an interesting time, and it will also be interesting to hear what everyone thinks of the new set-up at the end of next season, should the Colts have been allowed in.
“Let’s hope it’s going to be beneficial for all.”