East Kilbride land St Johnstone in cup: Big scalps last season show we'll have no fear in Premier Sports clashes, says boss
Kilby will take on the likes of St Johnstone and Raith Rovers in their cup section next month
East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy says his side hold no fears going into the Premier Sports League Cup groups this summer after pulling off some cup scalps last season.
Newly-promoted Kilby are still riding the crest of a wave after reaching the SPFL last month and they are now looking forward to their first matches as a League Two club after the draw for the League Cup was made last week.
Kennedy's side have been drawn in Group F alongside top seeds St Johnstone, who were relegated to the Championship last season, Championship side Raith Rovers, League One Inverness Caley Thistle and League Two rivals Elgin City.
EK defeated the likes of Championship sides Airdrie and Ayr United in the Challenge Cup last term, so Kennedy believes they can punch above their weight again.
Reacting to the draw, which will see Kilby host Saints at K-Park on July 12, Kennedy said: 'I look forward to these occasions because it gives us a chance to test ourselves against some big teams.
'Nothing changes in terms of our style of play, so they are always interesting occasions. I'm looking forward to it.
'It's a really good group. There's three full-time clubs in there so it will be a big test, but we showed last season that we can compete with Championship clubs on our day.
'St Johnstone is a massive game to kick us off after getting into the SPFL. I know they had an unsuccessful season and had a new manager come in, but I have a lot of admiration for [boss] Simo Valakari in terms of how his side plays.
'He is trying to implement a possession-based style of play so I think that will make for a good game between us.
'We will go to try and win all the games and we'll certainly show no fear.'
With East Kilbride being involved in the end of season play-offs last term, Kennedy says they will need to use the cup as pre-season.
EK are due to play one friendly on Saturday, July 5 against an as yet unnamed opponent before the cup campaign gets underway. League Two will kick-off on August 2.
Kennedy added: 'We will try and get one friendly in before the cup starts but that will be our pre-season.
'We need to use the competition as our pre-season because we finished a lot later than the SPFL teams and the boys needed their break.'
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