Chris Millar admits it was a challenging test as a 38-year-old against a vibrant Rangers B team on Sunday.
Kilby fell to a 2-1 defeat as their miserable start to the Lowland League continued and are now without a manager, following Stevie Aitken's resignation on Tuesday.
Goals from Tony Weston and Adam Devine, either side of Neil McLaughlin’s deflected strike for Kilby, proved the difference to leave EK in 16th.
The experienced midfielder has enjoyed a successful career in the SPFL but he admits it was a refreshing encounter against Rangers’ talented youngsters.
“It was a different challenge,” Millar added. “You could tell in the opening 15 minutes that they were a talented side.
“Young players are always sharp and quick and it wasn’t the easiest for me as a 38-year-old.
"I really like how they played without fear and they always tried to play out from the back and through the lines.
“It’s totally different because we are more physically developed and that started to show in the last 20 minutes.
“Our strength and fitness was showing and we were the stronger side albeit we conceded a late winner.
“It’s brilliant for the Rangers and Celitc B teams because they are playing against men which will only benefit them - it’s a good learning experience for everybody.”
Rangers handed a debut to Charlie McCann, who recently arrived amid much fanfare from Manchester United.
David McCallum’s side are littered with talented stars of the future but Millar admits Alex Lowry stole the show.
The former Morton man added: “I thought he was the standout and their best player. I’m sure he’s been involved in the first-team and training with them.
“He was clever on the ball, used his body really well and he had a good amount of pace. It was difficult to play against him because he kept finding those pockets of space between the lines.
“He always seemed to create space for himself which showed great intelligence for such a young player.”
East Kilbride return to league action on Saturday when they host Bo'ness United.
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