Shettleston...4 EK Thistle...2
Dougie Ryan admits East Kilbride Thistle’s defeat to Shettleston had an end of season feel about it as their four-game winning run ground to a halt.
The Jags player/coach, taking the reins alongside boss Tam Barclay until the end of the season, scored an equaliser just before the break to tie things up at 1-1 going into the interval.
Early in the second half, quick-fire goals for each side made it 2-2 with Callum McLean getting the Jags goal.
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However, Shettleston - five places below Thistle in the table - found an extra gear to run out 4-2 winners.
Ryan said: “Saturday was a poor day at the office. It had the feel of an end of season game with nothing to play for.
“We saved ourselves from relegation with four or five games to go, so we are just trying to finish as high as we can.
“Saturday was disappointing, but the boys have been excellent all season and I don’t think we can been too harsh on them. They have afforded themselves room for a day like that.
“We are still on course for our highest league finish in 10 years, so hopefully we can end the season on a high.”
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In Barclay and Ryan’s first game in charge last Wednesday, the duo got off to a great start with a 2-1 win away to Wishaw.
That came just days after bosses Steven McClung and Colin Mitchell resigned from their posts amid claims their jobs were already being touted elsewhere.
But Ryan hailed the squad for their attitude against Wishaw.
“On Wednesday the boys were excellent,” said Ryan.
“They fought hard and focused on the football, rather than letting any outside issues affect them.”
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EK finish their season on Saturday at home to Glasgow Perthshire, kick-off 2pm at the Showpark. But Ryan won’t be throwing his hat into the ring to become the club’s next manager.
He added: “That is 100 per cent not something I am looking at. I feel I’ve got another year left playing before I really look into coaching.”
