East Kilbride boss Kevin Rutkiewicz tasted his first victory in charge with a six-goal blitz over Bo’ness, but insisted he and assistant Bill Orr can’t take any credit for the display.
Having suffered a shock South Challenge Cup exit to Sauchie on his dugout debut and a league draw with Berwick, Rutkiewicz got up and running on Saturday as his side brushed Bo’ness aside at K-Park 6-0.
A Cami Elliott hat-trick plus strikes from Joao Victoria, Neil McLaughlin and Reece McGuire earned the club’s 22nd win of the season in 33 games.
It leaves them second in the table going into Saturday’s final game of the campaign against champions Bonnyrigg Rose, and a point ahead of third-place Celtic B, who have a game in hand.
Rutkiewicz was thrilled with his side’s display after a couple of disappointing results, but says their impressive triumph was all down to the squad he has inherited.
“It was a great response from the boys and I said to the players after the game it has got nothing to do with what Bill and I have done,” said the 41-year-old.
“That was a performance where our players just did what they are good at.
“We’ve only had two training sessions with them, we’ve not had time to work on tactics and small tweaks we want to bring in.
“That was just what they’ve been doing for most of the last few months.
“It was a good performance with high energy and they were really clinical in front of goal.
“If truth be told, Bo’ness could have scored a couple of goals and if it had finished 9-4 or something like that, that would probably have been the fairest result.
“I’m delighted with the clean sheet as well and just to get that first win is a great feeling.
“To get a win like that means they can finish the season with a smile on their face and we can deal with contracts and things like that as the weeks progress.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with the three points and the result with Rangers [a 4-0 defeat to Stirling Uni] went our way as well, in terms of us finishing second.”
Rutkiewicz heaped praise on striker Elliott, after he took his league goals tally to 10 for the season with Saturday’s scoring spree.
He also assisted Neil McLaughlin’s goal and Rutkiewicz believes the 22-year-old has found his form again after the upheaval of former boss Chris Aitken’s exit.
Rutkiewicz explained: “It’s great seeing Cami when he’s got a smile on his face.
“In the last couple of games I think he’s been trying a wee bit too hard.
“Him and Chris had a really good relationship. He probably felt quite comfortable, and me coming in has probably knocked him out of his stride a wee bit but he’s definitely settled now.
“It was great to see him express himself and he was class on Saturday.
“Cami had a frustrating start to the season with a hamstring injury. I think it hurt the team and you can see why because I think from Christmas there he was a big part of the success under Chris and the run the boys had been on.
“He’s an athlete, he’s quick, he’s powerful – and all that was on show on Saturday.
“He got his just rewards with his hat-trick and he should have had four!
“I’m a moaning-faced git, I’m quite greedy, and I’ll always try and push him.
“But Cami is like-minded in that way.
“He had a hell of an assist for Neil McLaughlin’s goal – it was some ball in and Neilly finished it with some style as well with a volley.
“We scored some terrific goals and Cammy was a big part of that success story.”
East Kilbride are now in Lowland League Cup action tonight when they travel to Dalbeattie Star. Rutckiewicz's side have already qualified for the knockout stages.
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