Rangers B and Tranent openers mean East Kilbride can't afford slow start, says boss Kevin Rutkiewicz

East Kilbride boss Kevin Rutkiewicz has warned his side they can’t afford a slow start to their Lowland League campaign after being handed a fearsome first five fixtures to start the season.

Kilby kick-off the new term on Saturday and face five games in 14 days.

But the fixture list hasn’t been kind with their opener away to newly-promoted Tranent followed by home clashes with Rangers B on Tuesday night and Hearts B on July 30.

Trips to Broomhill on August 2 and then Celtic B on the night of Friday, August 5, follow in what is one of the toughest starts of any side in the division.

Kilby, as two-time champions, will be among the favourites this season and Rutkiewicz knows his men must hit the ground running.

He said: “I don’t think whoever did the fixtures likes us, but seriously it’s a tough start, there’s no getting away from that.

“Going to Tranent, they will have their tails up from promotion last season and it will probably be a bit of a carnival atmosphere there.

“They might be unfurling a flag or there will be some sort of recognition for their achievement.

“But I don’t like being a guest at a party so we are definitely looking to go there and spoil that to start our season on a positive note.

“We are very aware how difficult that is going to be.

“If we start really well, the pressure is on to maintain that standard and we might be levelled favourites, but if you come out these five games with a couple of sore ones you might be playing catch-up. What I do know is that leagues are very rarely won and lost in five games so I think that, regardless of what happens, we just need to maintain our focus and keep concentrated on what the overall aim for the season is.

“We’ll approach each game individually and prepare