Barry Russell is happy for fans to have high expectations for East Kilbride Thistle this season after an impressive summer signing spree.
And the defender says he’ll be able to handle that pressure no bother after his time at Lowland League East Kilbride FC.
The 35-year-old won two titles at K-Park during a spell where Kilby were heavy favourites with big expectations.
Now that Thistle have added some experienced signings to their ranks in the form of ex-Stranraer striker Jamie Longworth, ex-Clyde midfielder David Gray and former Airdrie and Livingston midfielder David Sinclair, the club are being considered as strong contenders in the West of Scotland Football League Third Division.
But that’s something Russell relishes.
He said: “Everyone is talking about East Kilbride Thistle again.
“Having someone like Jamie Longworth here is massive on its own, but we’ve got Sinky as well and Div [Gray], although he has been out of the game for a few years. But when he’s fit he’s brilliant, you can’t get the ball off him.
“There’s a few really good youth players here as well so things are looking good for us.
“When I was at St Roch’s we had a good team last year. Everyone expected us to get relegated but we did well.
“I think it might be a bit different here. Some people might expect us to win the league, but that’s fine.
“If we are all in it together we will be fine because there’s a good dressing room in there already.
“I can see that and it’s a big bonus for us.
“I’m happy if people see us as favourites or whatever.
“I was used to that at East Kilbride FC and it will be up to us as a team to adapt to that pressure if it’s going to be a good season ahead.”
There’s certainly a lot of familiarity among the core of the squad, with the latest recruits already good friends and some managed by a pal they grew up with in Garry O’Hanlon.
Russell and Longworth were among the Jags’ under-20s on their path to the senior ranks and now their careers have come full circle.
And former Albion Rovers ace Russell believes that will be a big positive.
He added: “Martin Lauchlan used to say when I was at East Kilbride FC that if you’ve got a good dressing room, it will get you 10 points extra a season because you end up going that extra mile for someone you normally wouldn’t.
“We all know each other well, we are in it together and we just need to work hard for each other week in, week out and take it from there.
“Garry played under my dad many years ago when I was about seven-years-old so I’ve grown up with Garry all my life.
“Knowing how good a footballer he was, I took him to Albion Rovers for a training session when I first went there so Garry is more of a mate than anything else.
“I’m trying to adapt myself to calling him gaffer – but I can’t get used to it, it’s not there yet.
“But you can tell he is right up for this.
“He was great here as a player and hopefully he’s a big success as a manager.”
It’s been 11 years since Russell last played at the Showpark and vast improvements have been made around the place, including to the Showpark surface and the once dilapidated dressing rooms.
“It’s definitely all changed,” Russell admits.
“But I think if we had a flatscreen TV in the dressing room the first time I was here somebody like Dunga [former Thistle striker Steven McClung] would have smashed it!
“I don’t know if I like it all done up – I prefer the old dressing room which was a lot more old school.
“But the pitch is definitely a lot better and a few things around the club are as well.
“It’s a good time for the club again.”
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