Jags slump to 11th league defeat in 11 games

Jan 16 2013 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

Struggling East Kilbride Thistle slumped to their 11th straight league defeat of the season away to Carluke on Saturday — amid changes to the managerial set-up.

Time is running out for Thistle boss Brian McMullen to restore some pride in the Showpark side, who will all but be relegated this season.

And this week’s appointment of two coaches would suggest the club are aware of the manager’s failings.

First-team captain Paul McAneny has stepped up to assist new first-team coach Robert McKenna with McMullen still at the helm as manager.

The changes were implemented ahead of Saturday’s game but that couldn’t stop another defeat.

Carluke took the lead in the 22nd minute with a well-worked goal. Andy Barr set Gordon Murphy free on goal before he squared the ball to Stuart Arnott to fire home.

Rovers doubled their lead in the 34th minute through Mark Weir before Darren Hamilton and Arnott put the result beyond doubt with strikes early in the second half.

And for new assistant McAneny, he knows he has his work cut-out.

Having played senior football at the likes of Kilmarnock, Alloa and Morton — and also having a spell as assistant boss at junior side Hurlford on his CV — it is hoped McAneny can change the clubs fortunes.

McAneny, a fireman from Whitehills, told the News: “The hope is I can use my knowledge of the junior games to assist Brian, pass what I know onto the boys in the team and try to use my contacts to get players in.

“It’s going to be difficult to get players in when there is no money on offer here, but hopefully the guys I know will come and play for me as a favour because we have a team full of amateurs playing Junior football and it’s understandable how difficult these past few months have been.

“Being at Thistle during this time has been a real eye-opener for me and I believe things can only get better now — because they could hardly get any worse.

“The 8-0 defeat to Larkhall last week was the biggest defeat of my career and we all want to do our best to turn things around.

“I moved here from Larkhall last year because it’s my local team and I wanted to play closer to home at the end of my playing career.

“I want to bring some professionalism to this club because it certainly needs it.”

This weekend Thistle host Neilston at the Showpark. Kick-off of the match is 1.45pm.