Jamie McKim was delighted to see Johnstone Burgh’s young guns pick up vital experience against First Division title-favourites Gartcairn.
After a couple of sore defeats and abject performances against Shotts Bon Accord and Drumchapel United, the Keanie Park side were hoping to put in a much-improved showing against the current league leaders on Saturday afternoon.
And despite going down 2-0 to the impressive Airdrie outfit, Burgh boss McKim was pleased to see his side – including four youngsters from their development squad – stand up to the challenge and produce a much more competitive display.
McKim told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “It’s been a tough run we’ve been on but there were definite signs of improvement against Gartcairn.
“We had a lot of younger boys involved and I was really impressed with them. They did well against a very well organised, experienced side.
“I think they’ll go on to win the league. They made it very hard for us to get through them and get anywhere near their goal.
“Frazer McFadzean made his first competitive start, while Callum Bonnar, James McLaughlin and Noah Young all got game time too. Lee Kilbride, our Under-20s keeper, also continued in goal as he has done for the last five or six weeks.
"That is massive experience for them and it shows them the level you need to get to in terms of organisation to get results. We’ve only got two games left now and I want to win them both.
“We don’t want this season to fizzle out because we’re hugely ambitious and we want to build on what we’ve achieved already in recent seasons.”
Having already announced the sensational summer arrival of former Rangers and West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans, Burgh signalled their intention to push for promotion next season even further with the acquisition of Pollok star Derek Esplin.
Just voted the Premier Division club’s players’ player of the year and supporters’ player of the year, the midfielder looks set to bring even more quality to Keanie Park next season.
McKim said: “We’re delighted to have Derek joining this summer. He’s exactly the type of player and person we want in the team.
“He’s a top player at our level and the club awards he’s just won for Pollok, who are sitting fifth in the Premier Division, shows what an influential midfielder he is.
“He’s the second signing we’ve made alongside Dorrans and we’re trying to get a squad in place to have a real go at this league next season.
“I’m not the most patient guy in the world. We’ve moved quickly up the leagues but I’m not prepared to settle with that.
“We’re already building for next season. We’ll look at what we’ve still got in the building come the summer and I want the players still here to show they’ve got that pride.”
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