Kevin Rutkiewicz says a half-time rollicking led to East Kilbride’s 4-0 Lowland League Cup quarter-final win over Berwick Rangers on Saturday, after accusing players of downing tools during a lacklustre first half.
Neil McLaughlin’s double was added to by strikes from Greig Stewart and Reece Maguire as Kilby negotiated their way through to a semi-final clash against Broomhill on May 7, which will be held at K-Park.
That might have come at a cost, as striker Joao Victoria limped off with a muscle complaint, but Rutkiewicz says otherwise it was a good day for the club who made sure former gaffer Stuart Malcolm didn’t enjoy his visit.
He said: “Maybe I was harsh, a bit super-critical and I’m a moaning-faced git, but I felt the first half was two teams that the tools were away for.
“I didn’t think anybody showed any real intent and aggression to win the game.
“We were in control of the game, in terms of possession of the ball, but we didn’t hurt Berwick at all.
“I asked for intensity and to chase lost causes. The first thing we did in the second half was chase a lost cause, turned it into a chance, and we got a goal.
“After that the goals got better, with good football, good play, and it gives a real indication of where we’re at, at the minute.”
Rutkiewicz says his moaning persona came out again for McLaughlin, who he feels should have had a hat-trick instead of ‘only’ a double.
He added: “Neilly scored a terrific first goal, it was a great finish, was clinical and full of quality, and the second was a back-post header.
“I’ve known Neilly for a long, long time and I’ve never pegged him as a back-post header kind of guy, but he’s adding that to his repertoire.
“He was one that I felt was on it all day, he didn’t fall into that trap in the first half.
“He should have had a hat-trick, but that’s the ‘moaning-faced git’ in me coming out again.
“He just loves playing football, he wants to showcase that skill-set that he has, and he did that on Saturday.”
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