Greg Kiltie first interview
Wednesday, 4th Sep 2019“I’ve been at Kilmarnock since I was a kid but if my chance isn’t going to come, then I want to go somewhere else and improve. I feel lucky that a club of the size of Dunfermline were keen.”
Greg Kiltie is already getting to grips with the road from Kilmarnock to Dunfermline. He was sitting having his dinner on Monday night when he received the call to travel up for a quick medical at 10.30pm. that night. Having successfully signed it was back home to be ready to tackle the M77 and M80 in Tuesday’s rush hour traffic. The Pars Deadline Day signing spoke to the media after his first training session:-
“I didn’t know much about it on Monday morning but I had decided that it would be better for me to get some minutes under my belt rather than sit and not play. I spoke to the manager at here and it just materialised from there. I’m delighted to get it sorted and delighted to be here.
“I was just having dinner with my missus and I knew something might be in the pipeline but wasn’t too sure. Then I got a phone call from my agent saying: ‘Can you make it to Dunfermline?’ I said ‘of course’.”
The 22 year old made 41 appearances for Kilmarnock in season 2015-2016 and although he has taken that to a further 50 appearances he admits to having been frustrated because all four of his appearances this season totalling 69 minutes have been from the bench:-
“I want to be starting games. I made that clear to the manager at Kilmarnock and I don’t think I’ve been given a fair opportunity when I’ve done enough to justify that. I think the Kilmarnock fans would back me up on that. But it wasn’t to be.
“In football you need to look after yourself. I’ve been at Kilmarnock since I was a kid but if my chance isn’t going to come, then I want to go somewhere else and improve. I feel lucky that a club of the size of Dunfermline were keen.”
Greg went out on loan to Morton in January this year and played in 14 matches scoring six goals towards the end of last season. Following that Greg returned to Kilmarnock hoping to start for the Rugby Park club but was facing reserve team football.
“I felt like I was slipping back towards that. I couldn’t have that at 22 years of age. Personally, I finished the season really well and I want to keep playing and help the team. I’ve got a year left on my contract at Kilmarnock so I need to play - I can’t be rotting away.”
The loan deal is for the season and although there is an option to break it in January, Greg will just focus on doing well for Dunfermline:-
“I’m at Dunfermline for the season unless Kilmarnock decide otherwise. You never know what will happen, the situation could change at Kilmarnock or at Dunfermline, so you stay open to things - but right now I’m really happy to be here.”
Greg played in the same Kilmarnock side as Lee Ashcroft, Kallum Higginbotham and Aaron Splaine. He said he had received numerous messages of good wishes:-
“I know a few boys who have played here before and the texts were coming in saying: ‘It’s a massive club, you’ll really enjoy it’. When that’s the reaction, you know you’ve made the right decision.
“Lee texted me on Monday night to say: ‘That’s you trying to get back in my car school? Well, it’s full!’ No, I know how much he loves it here and that’s a big tick.”
Greg has only played once at East End Park and he recalled scoring from the penalty spot in the Pars last home match of last season.
“The Dunfermline fans won’t be happy with the result and dodgy penalty last season, but I’ll look to do my best for Dunfermline this time. I’ve only been in the door for a couple of sessions but I know for a fact there’s enough quality here for us to do well.”
Greg is eligible to play for Dunfermline in the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup
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