Barry Russell is glad for followers to have excessive expectations for East Kilbride Thistle this season after a formidable summer season signing spree.
And the defender says he’ll be capable to deal with that stress no trouble after his time at Lowland League East Kilbride FC.
The 35-year-old gained two titles at Okay-Park throughout a spell the place Kilby had been heavy favourites with massive expectations.
Now that Thistle have added some skilled signings to their ranks within the type of ex-Stranraer striker Jamie Longworth, ex-Clyde midfielder David Grey and former Airdrie and Livingston midfielder David Sinclair, the membership are being thought-about as sturdy contenders within the West of Scotland Soccer League Third Division.
However that’s one thing Russell relishes.
He stated: “Everyone seems to be speaking about East Kilbride Thistle once more.
“Having somebody like Jamie Longworth right here is huge by itself, however we’ve bought Sinky as properly and Div [Gray], though he has been out of the sport for a couple of years. However when he’s match he’s sensible, you possibly can’t get the ball off him.
“There’s a couple of actually good youth gamers right here as properly so issues are trying good for us.
“Once I was at St Roch’s we had a very good crew final yr. Everybody anticipated us to get relegated however we did properly.
“I believe it is perhaps a bit totally different right here. Some folks would possibly count on us to win the league, however that’s tremendous.
“If we're all in it collectively we shall be tremendous as a result of there’s a very good dressing room in there already.
“I can see that and it’s a giant bonus for us.
“I’m glad if folks see us as favourites or no matter.
“I used to be used to that at East Kilbride FC and it will likely be as much as us as a crew to adapt to that stress if it’s going to be a very good season forward.”
There’s definitely numerous familiarity among the many core of the squad, with the newest recruits already good mates and a few managed by a pal they grew up with in Garry O’Hanlon.
Russell and Longworth had been among the many Jags’ under-20s on their path to the senior ranks and now their careers have come full circle.
And former Albion Rovers ace Russell believes that shall be a giant optimistic.
He added: “Martin Lauchlan used to say after I was at East Kilbride FC that in case you’ve bought a very good dressing room, it can get you 10 factors additional a season as a result of you find yourself going that additional mile for somebody you usually wouldn’t.
“Everyone knows one another properly, we're in it collectively and we simply have to work exhausting for one another week in, week out and take it from there.
“Garry performed beneath my dad a few years in the past after I was about seven-years-old so I’ve grown up with Garry all my life.
“Realizing how good a footballer he was, I took him to Albion Rovers for a coaching session after I first went there so Garry is extra of a mate than the rest.
“I’m attempting to adapt myself to calling him gaffer – however I can’t get used to it, it’s not there but.
“However you possibly can inform he's proper up for this.
“He was nice right here as a participant and hopefully he’s a giant success as a supervisor.”
It’s been 11 years since Russell final performed on the Showpark and huge enhancements have been made across the place, together with to the Showpark floor and the as soon as dilapidated dressing rooms.
“It’s positively all modified,” Russell admits.
“However I believe if we had a flatscreen TV within the dressing room the primary time I used to be right here anyone like Dunga [former Thistle striker Steven McClung] would have smashed it!
“I don’t know if I prefer it all carried out up – I want the outdated dressing room which was much more old fashioned.
“However the pitch is unquestionably so much higher and some issues across the membership are as properly.
“It’s a very good time for the membership once more.”
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