Summer signing Nathan Flanagan reckons teams in the Lowland League are going to “struggle” against East Kilbride this season, if they produce similar levels to what they showed against Queen of the South on Saturday.
The Kilby winger, who lives in Carmunnock, made his debut in a 1-1 draw against the Doonhamers, as the League One outfit were made to look pretty ordinary in the friendly clash at K-Park.
Flanagan tormented the Queens defence at times with his direct style and the former Forfar and Stirling Albion ace felt EK were unfortunate not to pick up a victory in their first outing under new boss Mick Kennedy.
So he reckons when it comes to matches against opposition at their level when the league kicks off next month, EK could be too hot to handle.
He said: “Considering that is a full-time League One team and we are, obviously, going to be playing teams at our level now, if we can keep implementing our game like that then teams in the Lowland League are really going to struggle against us.
“I think we dominated the game and if you were a spectator, you’d maybe struggle to tell who was the League One team.
“I think we could have been three or four goals up because we had good chances. We just need to be more clinical.
“Everybody is still gelling together, but we had plenty of chances and dominated the game.
“I loved it. You can tell by the way the manager wants to play that it suits everyone that is here. Everybody wants to get on the ball and you can see the ability in the team.
“I think we just need to keep building on that. It was just our first game but I thought we really clicked and it was really enjoyable. Even the manager was surprised by how fast we picked it up, so I think that shows there’s good things to come.”
Flangan revealed his link-up with Kennedy has been years in the making, having been close to joining him when the gaffer was in charge at Darvel.
And he says now is the perfect time to play under the man who masterminded a Scottish Cup shock for the ages over Aberdeen last term.
The 26-year-old added: “I spoke to the manager over quite a few seasons now and the circumstances just haven’t worked out before.
“But the way that he sells himself, how Si [Ferry, the assistant boss] wants to play and what they want to do at the club, just fits me perfectly.
“I’m quite a local boy as well so that, and the way they want to play, suits me down to the ground.
“I probably got the ball more in that game than in the majority of last season. I just want to enjoy my football, really push for something and try to win a league.
“There’s a plan in place to get me on the ball. With the full-backs coming, it gives me so much space, and the more space I get, the more I can get on the ball and affect the game.
“If this game is anything to go by, I think I’m going to love this season.”
During the Queens clash, Flanagan showed some impressive glimpses of what Kilby fans can expect from him.
And he added: “Being our first game, maybe I could have been more selfish at times. I was almost trying to make sure of goals, almost, instead of just taking it on myself.
“The gaffer wants everybody to show for the ball, be confident on it and, with the ability we’ve got in the squad, it will shine through once everyone has that confidence.
“If a couple of people go hiding when teams are pressing us, it won’t work.
“But today everybody wanted it and I think we really flourished.”
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