Craig Malcolm admits East Kilbride must strengthen substantially to wrestle the Lowland League title away from Kelty Hearts next season.
Barry Ferguson’s side claimed the title when the season was called in May due to the Covid crisis, but they remain in the division after being denied promotion.
The big spending Fifers, who were a whopping 31 points clear of seventh-place Kilby when the campaign ended, did not get the chance to compete in the SPFL play-offs and a bid for SPFL reconstruction – that would have seen Kelty promoted to an expanded 44-team setup – was voted down by member clubs.
It means EK and fellow hopefuls Bonnyrigg, BSC Glasgow and East Stirling will again have to contend with a side boasting 37-goal top scorer Nathan Austin, who joined from Championship side Inverness last season.
Kilby have been in talks with Chris Erskine, who was playing in the Premiership with Livingston last season, and Malcolm says boss Stevie Aitken will need to make some big signings to compete.
He said: “If we are being honest, you’d rather Kelty weren’t in the league, but they are and we just have to deal with it, build a team that’s going to compete with them and, hopefully, finish above them.
“Kelty, East Stirling, BSC and Bonnyrigg are all there too so there’s plenty of good teams. Out of all them, Kelty are probably the strongest and you’d imagine they’ll add another couple of quality signings to kick-on again.
“Trying to get guys like Chris shows our ambition and that we want to get back up to the top end of the table after a poor season.
“I’m sure Chris will have plenty of other offers though, so he’ll be doing what’s best for him.”
Malcolm has played alongside and under Kilby boss Aitken at Arthurlie and Stranraer, respectively. So he’s confident Aitken will assemble a top team to make them a force again.
He added: “I think the manager knows what is needed. He’s proved that with the last couple of jobs he’s had and he’ll be working hard to get the right players in.
“It’s not a case of signing any boy from the Championship, he’ll need to build a squad based on the type of football he’s going to play. He doesn’t need me or anyone else telling him how to do that.
“If we can attract some big players it will be down to the manager and what his plans are for the club.”
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