Former Elgin City man Thomas Reilly admires his old club's play-off efforts but warns League 2 new boys Kelty Hearts will be going for a swift promotion
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AMBITIOUS Kelty Hearts are aiming to emulate Cove Rangers and gain a swift promotion from League Two, says former Elgin City man Thomas Reilly.
Reilly was part of the Fife’s side’s play-off final win over Brechin City last weekend which relegated the Angus side and saw Kelty replace them in League Two.
Reilly and fellow ex-Elgin midfielder Dylan Easton have yet to agree a new deal at Kelty this summer, but are expected to sign a new contract, bringing them into direct opposition against their old team next term.
The Fifers will want to take a leave out of Cove’s book by winning the title in their debut SPFL season, like the Aberdonians did in their first year after winning the Highland League.
“I would like to think that any club should have the ambition that Kelty has,” said Reilly.
“People say they’re a club with a lot of money and that’s the reason that they are pushing through the leagues.
“But the club is ambitious. Yes, they’ve got someone backing them but you also need to have players that have the ambition and the desire to play and push the club to new levels.”
Former Rangers and Scotland star Barry Ferguson left his position as manager at Kelty after steering them to promotion, and a new boss will aim to keep the continuity going.
“If this squad all stays together and if I am there, I will be telling the players that we need to go for promotion and that has got to be an aim,” said Reilly.
“If we don’t have that ambition, what was the point in us going up if we are just happy playing every year in League Two.
“In the Lowland League, you could be winning 8-0 one week then play East Kilbride the next and know it would be a close one. Changing that mentality will be hard as every game in League Two will be a tough one.
“If I’m at Kelty next season and I’m playing against Elgin, I’m looking forward to seeing some old faces. I’ll be trying to get one over them, of course, but it will be nice to see a few of the boys when I’m back up there.
“I would say with the budget at Elgin, compared to other clubs, they are overachieving by challenging every season and they did brilliantly to make the play-offs once again.”
