Stevie Aitken has revealed East Kilbride won't be moving their first pre-season friendly game tomorrow night, despite it clashing with Scotland's do-or-die Euro 2020 clash with Croatia at Hampden.
Kilby are due to play their first game since December 27 2020 when Aitken's old side Dumbarton visit K-Park and the pre-season warm-up, which kicks-off 15 minutes before Scotland's 8pm start, won't be moved to allow players to watch the clash as EK go full steam ahead for their Lowland League preparations.
Aitken confirmed brief discussions were had with his counterpart Stevie Farrell over switching the clash, but the game will go ahead as planned as the Scots look to get the win that can put them into the knockout stages at a major tournament for the very first time.
He told Lanarkshire Live Sport: "I know Scotland are playing and we want them to do well, but the focus for me is East Kilbride.
"There were questions over it and I spoke to Stevie Farrell at Dumbarton about changing it.
"I said I wasn't for changing it because our pre-season has been organised, we've got a schedule that will be training, playing, training, playing.
"It would be too late to start changing things and the referee has been organised and it's been announced we'll have a game that day.
"I'm not sure how the Scotland game will affect people coming to see the game, but it will be good to see some fans back in if they do come along.
"It's just unfortunate and although we want to see Scotland do well, we need to look after our own team."
East Kilbride returned to training last Tuesday night and everyone at the club can't wait to get a game under their belts.
Aitken added: "We've not played football for a while so we are desperate to get back doing it.
"There will be a long way to go in terms of fitness and sharpness, but it will be good for the boys to get a game.
"And that's something we are looking forward to doing."
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