East Kilbride boss Stevie Aitken is delighted with Chris Erskine’s return, and lavished praise on the midfielder for his determination to fight back from injury.
The Partick Thistle legend sustained a serious hamstring injury when he returned to the Maryhill club on loan last season, with the Lowland League suspended.
Erskine, 34, was expected to miss the start of the season, but returned as a substitute in Kilby’s Premier Sports Cup game against Morton and he scored the opener in last night's penalty shoot-out defeat to Clyde.
Aitken can’t speak highly enough of Erskine’s professionalism, and is excited by the prospect of seeing him at full strength this season.
“It’s absolutely massive that he’s back,” said Aitken. “Everybody knows what we think of him with the career that he’s enjoyed.
“He’s a top, top player and a top guy.
“Everyone would miss a player like Chris but he’s worked extremely hard since picking up that injury at Thistle – credit to him for that.
“He went to London to get the operation and he’s spent loads of days with the physio getting back to fitness.
“When he came back against Morton, he showed glimpses of what he’s capable of.
“He’s a huge part of our plans going forward so it’s great to have him back.
“We’ve got good creative players in that area of the pitch with Neil McLaughlin too.
“Neil is fantastic at the top end of the park and he’s working hard to improve on other areas of his game.
“He does things in training that players like Chris and Lee Miller can’t believe. He’s so talented and I look forward to working with him moving forward.”
Kilby lost former Falkirk co-manager and striker Miller to injury during pre-season and Aitken is still looking to strengthen.
“I’m still speaking to loads of managers to see if we can still add to the squad,” he said.
“We had a wee setback in pre-season when Lee picked up a knock which has held him back.
“That’s left us a little bit short up top so we are still looking for another attacking player."
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
