Kilmarnock kid joins East Kilbride on loan thanks to Kilby's Robert Snodgrass connection
East Kilbride have snapped up Kilmarnock kid Zander Craik and boss Mick Kennedy revealed old pal Robert Snodgrass helped them seal the move.
The Lowland League leaders strengthened their side last week with the capture of the 18-year-old on loan until the end of the campaign and Kilby fans could see him make his debut in Friday night’s clash at East Stirlingshire (kick-off 7.45pm).
Kennedy insists the ‘highly regarded’ striker – who was the subject of transfer interest from English Premier League side Crystal Palace in January – will have a big part to play in the remainder of the season.
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And Kennedy’s connection to former Scotland international Snoddy paved the way to bring Craik to K-Park.
Kennedy said: “We have been looking to get a wee bit of support for Cami.
“Zander was on loan earlier in the season to Queen of the South after a really good year in the youth team.
“I believe he was close to going to Crystal Palace at one point so that shows you how highly regarded he is.
“He has been doing well at Kilmarnock and we’ve done well to bring him in.
“There was a lot of interest in him this month, but his agent is Robert Snodgrass who is a good friend of mine, so we know he’s from a good environment and will be well looked after.
“We are delighted to get him in and it is another one to strengthen the group as we move forward.”
Craik was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Broxburn Athletic in the league and Kennedy added: “He didn’t get on with the game being so tight and he’d only done one training session. We just felt it was a bit unfair to throw him in.
“But he will certainly play games for us and get minutes between now and the end of the season.
“For his age, he has really good physical attributes and I am sure he will be an asset for us.”
Meanwhile, Kilby have allowed defender Broque Watson to go out on loan to League Two side Bonnyrigg Rose as he makes his comeback from injury.
