East Kilbride v Dunfermline: Mick Kennedy says top opposition friendlies will serve side well for League Cup
The League Two side will face the Pars on Saturday before facing Hearts behind closed doors
East Kilbride players started their pre-season training this past week and Mick Kennedy's men will be thrown straight into a tough test this weekend.
The Lowland League champions and newly-promoted League Two side welcome Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic to K-Park for their first pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon, ahead of a clash behind closed doors against Premiership side Hearts.
Kilby are being thrown in at the deep end, but Kennedy insists it is required ahead opening competitive action at home to championship side St Johnstone on July 12 in the Premier Sports League Cup.
On Saturday's test, which is a 3pm kick-off, the Kilby gaffer said: 'It will be the first pre-season friendly for both of us so it will be interesting. I believe Dunfermline have been away for a warm weather training camp so I am sure they will be well-prepared.
'To be fair to our boys, they've come back in great shape so it will be a good test. It is about trying to bed the new boys in, in terms of our philosophy because it will be different to what they are used to.
'Dunfermline and Hearts are difficult games to bed them in, to be honest, but it is a good environment for them to test themselves.
'Neil is trying to build a new team and at the early stages of rebuilding so we'll be interested to see what kind of team he plays. I imagine what team he plays on Saturday and what team starts the season for them will be very different.
'A full-time and Championship club coming here is a great test. We wanted to play against top opposition to prepare us for the League Cup.
'The Hearts game has been sorted, but it is behind closed doors so there will be no fans. That game will be a tough one for the boys.'
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