East Kilbride v Spartans: Kennedy admits expectations are 'massive' as club eye League Two title

Daily Record

3 days ago

The Lowland League champions make their SPFL debut this afternoon
Mick Kennedy admits East Kilbride are targeting back-to-back league titles as they prepare to make their big SPFL debut today.
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The Lowland League champions will make their League Two bow after winning promotion through the play-offs last season.
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And K-Park is brimming with anticipation ahead of an historic clash at home to Spartans.
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Kilby are the bookies' favourites to take the crown in their first season in the professional ranks and while Kennedy doesn't agree with that tag, he believes he has the squad to earn successive titles.
He said: 'There is massive expectation on us this season. We are the odds-on favourites with the bookies, but I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing.
'Expectations are massive within the club as well and optimism has grown, but that's what success does.
'We won't shy away from that. We will go into the league campaign very respectful of our rivals, but we want to go in there and compete, and ultimately win the league.
'That is our aspiration but we are all aware how difficult that will be. I think the club and the board would be happy if we just go and establish ourselves as a League Two club, but I don't think like that.
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'My aspiration is to win the league and if that is putting extra pressure on myself and the players, then so be it.
'I think we have a really strong squad with lots of experience, and players who have won leagues before, so we are in a really strong place. I'm not so sure we should be favourites, but I think we should have a desire to go and win it.'
Kennedy added: 'We are really looking forward to it and there is a massive buzz around the place.
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'The supporters have been remarkable in terms of backing. The fan base has grown remarkably in such a short space of time.
'This month we took 100 fans up to Elgin and I can remember when I first took over that we were lucky to get 100 at a home game.
'Now we are selling out home games and getting good crowds, so I am delighted with that.'
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EK face a Spartans side who have made the same journey through the Lowland League in 2023, but who have now become an established SPFL side, finishing fifth last term and just missing out on the League One play-offs.
Long-serving gaffer Dougie Samuel was a thorn in Kilby's side many a time when the teams battled it out in the fifth tier, and Kennedy expects a tough test.
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On his opponents, he said: 'Dougie has them very well-organised, really fit. I watched them against Falkirk [a 4-0 loss]on Saturday and they are really good on the break. I think they will let us have loads of the ball on Saturday and try to catch us on the transition, so I think that's what we can expect.
'I am not good at keeping clean sheets so I am sure we'll need to score at least a couple of goals or we'll be in bother. I don't think anyone will be recruiting me as a defensive coach!
'It will be a difficult game but it is the first game in the professional leagues for the club so you want to make it a big, historical moment. We will certainly be trying to win the game.'
Kilby go into the clash missing a number of key players. New striker Ouzy See requires an operation on a knee injury and will be out long-term, while striker Cami Elliott has been ruled out with an Achilles problem. Defenders Jamie Hamilton and Jordan McGregor are also struggling.