Former East Kilbride captain Craig Malcolm featured as a trialist and scored for Kilby as they ran out 6-0 winners over Forth Wanderers on Saturday.
And Kilby boss Kevin Rutkiewicz is keen to get the striker back to K-Park for a third spell in his career – with a coaching opportunity to sweeten the deal.
Malky only left the club in January after a four-year spell, which included him captaining the club to the Lowland League title in 2019, but it appears he is set for a rapid return under new boss Rutkiewicz.
The 35-year-old netted the second goal of the game as EK eased to a win at Kingshill Park, where fellow trialists Luke Watt opened the scoring before Andy Black, Neil McLaughlin and Cami Elliot also got in on the act.
Rutkiewicz revealed: “Malky has been doing pre-season with us and we are taking a look at him.
“He would fill a very specific role for us but he is away on holiday this week so he is one we’ll take our tough with during pre-season.
“Craig has been really positive since he came in. He’s super professional, a good lad to have around the changing room, but there’s a wee chance that he could be helping Martin Fellowes with the under-20s as well, so there could be a wee package that’s there for Craig that aligns with what he needs for the next chapter of his career.
“When I think about EK, Malky always comes into your mind because he’s been affiliated with a lot of the success at the club.
“I think it would be nice to get someone like him as being that mediator between that old and the new era.
“I’ve got my own ambitions at East Kilbride and I’d like to think this is the start of a bright new era at the club and nobody would be better than Malky to play that middle ground.
“He’s someone we’d love to have around the place.”
Saturday’s clash was also the first chance to get a look at his summer signings so far and striker Bob McHugh, defender Jonathan Page, midfielder Ronan Hughes and Gary Miller, who captained the side following his move from Falkirk.
Among other trialists were St Mirren youngster Daniel McManus and ex-Airdrie man Luke Watt.
Rutkiewicz is almost certain a deal for McManus will be done this week but Watt will be waiting a bit longer to discover his fate.
“Luke has been training with us and we’ve got a decision to make on him now,” said Rutkiewicz.
“He did well on Saturday but we’ll talk about things with him further. He’s not available for the Celtic game this weekend so we’ll have a chat with him.
“On Daniel, I’m 99 per cent sure we will get something done and I hope we can announce that soon.”
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