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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ben Ramage

Johnstone Burgh boss calls for calm heads as club continue to climb First Division table

Jamie McKim insists his players need to keep their boots on the ground after soaring up the First Division table.

The Keanie Park club thumped five past St Roch’s to jump up to joint-fourth in the West of Scotland League’s second tier alongside title hopefuls Drumchapel.

Brilliant braces from Brian Connor and Aaron Miller were added to by Jojo Gillepie’s clinical penalty to seal all three points.

But while Johnstone Burgh are clicking into gear at just the right time heading into the business end of the season, McKim is adamant his side aren’t getting carried away despite their lofty league position which sees them closing in on a promotion spot.

He told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “I’m still tired from that St Roch’s game myself. It was mentally exhausting and while I’m sure the fans got their money’s worth, I’d much rather it had been a bit more one-sided.

“Saying that, I’m more than happy with all three points. The last couple of games our attacking play hasn’t been as strong, but I thought we were excellent against St Roch’s in difficult conditions.

“For me, that’s the best we’ve been all season. We’re clicking into gear up front and throughout the team which is very pleasing.

“I was disappointed with a couple of the referee’s decisions, particularly one of their penalties which was a joke. I don’t think anyone understands the handball rule anymore to be honest.

“For me now the target is just to win as many games as we possibly can between now and the end of the season and see where it takes us.

“If we can manage to put a consistent run together this group can go anywhere they want to go. If they work hard enough they can achieve anything.

“The league is so tight though. We’re under no illusions as to how hard it is to get into those promotion spots come the end of the season. We’re really ambitious and we want to see how far we can take the club.

“The next step for us is to get Burgh into the Premier Division. This summer might be too soon for us, but if it is then we’ll just be looking to make it happen next season.”

Burgh face Blantyre Victoria on the road this Saturday – looking to make it three wins on the spin.

McKim is delighted to have already started building for next season, with influential youngsters Connor and Gillespie also netting contract extensions this week.

McKim added: “We’re excited for the Blantyre game and we go there full of confidence.

“We want to get our best players tied down for next season and Jojo and Brian certainly fall into that category.

“It’s important to build that stability at the club and we’re hoping to get more boys signed up for next season over the next few days.”

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