East Kilbride boss Kevin Rutkiewicz says there’s no more room for error, and the next few weeks will determine whether they remain Lowland League title contenders or not.
Rutkiewicz says Kilby and several other hopeful clubs are entering a crucial period of the season, and a pivotal month, as they prepare to entertain Spartans today and close out the month against Celtic ‘B’ on January 28.
Kilby bounced back from last Friday’s bruising 2-0 defeat at Cumbernauld Colts to draw 1-1 with Broomhill on Tuesday night, which leaves them fifth in a tight table.
Just four points separate top from sixth and a good win for EK today could see them leapfrog Spartans at the top. But Rutkiewicz admits results are much more important than performances.
He said: “I’d say between now and mid-to-end February is crucial for East Kilbride, and probably a few other clubs.
"I can’t pull the wool over people’s eyes; this is the real bit now, it’s an aggressive part of the season where you can either announce yourself or find yourself out of it pretty quickly.
“Over the next five to eight weeks is huge – I’m not going to play that down. We need to stand up and be counted.
“I’ll grudgingly happily sit at the end of January and say I’ve been disgusted by the performances, but we’ve got the points. I would take that right now.
“We’re at that stage of the season where those windows for wee slip-ups and wee bad periods of form have gone now.
Rutkiewicz hopes for at least one new signing in January and added: “I would say there will definitely be one arrival over the next four weeks.
"How quickly that is depends on what happens with the other lads.”
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