20-05-2025
Kevin Rutkiewicz reflects on Arthurlie 'privilege' as he leaves after title success
The former Striling Albion boss joined the club in March and helped lead the Barrhead outfit to the First Division title in the West of Scotland League.
Kevin Rutkiewicz says it was a 'privilege' to be managing Arthurlie as he reflected on the club's West of Scotland League First Division (WoSFL) title triumph.
'Lie secured the silverware after drawing 2-2 with Petershill on Saturday, May 10, to bounce back to the top flight after last season's relegation.
Rutkiewicz joined the Barrhead outfit in March following Colin Reilly's departure but has now departed the club himself after securing the title with former St Johnstone, Dundee and Drumchapel United player William Dyer taking the helm.
Reilly had put 'Lie in a strong position to be promoted and Rutkiewicz took it to the next level with seven wins, two draws and only one defeat in 11 league games sealing their Premier return.
'The one thing you want out of the boys is just them to believe,' he told Arthurlie's social media channels. 'And they've done that. Obviously, the results help, the results have proved that and they've been outstanding.
'Where this team has won a league is character and attitude. That's why we've dug the result [against Petershill] out. It's not about ability or tactics. Toss that out the window.
'It's about character and digging in because we've only played particularly well. We've found a way and that's what good teams do.'
Rutkiewicz paid tribute to the efforts of Reilly and says some of the credit for the club's success has to go to the previous management team. When Reilly left, Arthurlie were in fifth place but had seven games in hand on then league leaders Renfrew.
Aaron Healy was also singled out for praise by his manager for playing though the pain barrier and producing the pivotal weekend equaliser. Rutkiewicz added: 'Although he's carrying an injury, he's mercurial. He can pop up.
"He can beat a man. He can finish a goal and he probably should have more goals, by the way. That's where I'll criticise him. But no, he's been a bit of a fan favourite. He's a local lad.
'He's got fantastic ability. But all that said, there's no Aaron Healy without a team here. The man beside me [Michael MacNeil] is every bit as important as is big [Sean] Docherty, as is Jordan Leyden, as is Ryan Sinclair and Mick McMullen and Marc Waters.
'And I can go on and on. You know where I'm going with this. But to save time I'll miss it!
'To the very last man and even the boys that come in – and they've maybe not played a lot of football – but make no mistake the impact they've had. It's been a good change on them and it's never changed. So, credit to what's happened before we got in. A brilliant squad.'
