Celtic hero John Hartson says East Kilbride will be aiming to reach Premiership after SPFL promotion
The former Hoops striker is the club's honorary chairman and was in attendance at New Dundas Park as EK sealed promotion
John Hartson reckons East Kilbride will be aiming for the Scottish Premiership now the club is finally in the SPFL.
The Celtic legend is the East Kilbride honorary chairman after helping launch the club back in 2010 and the town is also the base for his cancer charity The John Hartson Foundation.
And he will be celebrating along with the team having been in attendance at New Dundas Park as East Kilbride defeated Bonnyrigg Rose 3-1 on aggregate to seal their spot in League Two next seaso n - ending an 11-year wait.
Hartson, who is close friends with East Kilbride FC owners Paul and James Kean, believes the aim now will be to reach the very top.
He told Lanarkshire Live Sport: "It is nice to see them finally go up. Getting into the professional leagues, I think you'll really see them make a difference.
"The boys are very keen on taking the club forward and they will want to push on.
"I know their ambition is to one day play in the Scottish Premiership and I think they are serious about that.
"They have appointed a really good manager in Mick Kennedy and his assistant Si Ferry. So they are doing everything right. It is small steps, but I think you will see a big push from them in League Two because they wouldn't want to be bullied in that league.
"It has taken time but they weren't going to chuck £5-10m at it, that's not the business model, so I'm not that surprised it has taken a number of years. They have slowly done it and been through a few different managers."
Hartson also revealed he is over the moon for the club's owners and added: "It means a lot to everyone in the town and I know how much it means to the owners.
"I have an affiliation with the club as honorary chairman and Paul and James are my best friends.
"Paul puts his life and soul into this club. He is down at the training ground all the time, he is football daft and he takes a big interest in it.
"They are not just people who build property and houses, this is big for Paul and I know how much this football club means to him and everybody in East Kilbride.
"I'm delighted and feel extremely proud to see them finally get promoted into Scottish League 2.. Well done all for a fantastic achievement."
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