By Martin Owens 

Jamie McKim has demanded more effort from his “complacent” Johnstone Burgh side after they dropped points for the first time this season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Thorniewood United.


Burgh have looked rejuvenated under McKim this season, opening with a comprehensive win and still unbeaten, but the manager has called on his players to improve their attitude.


Honours were shared on Saturday at the final whistle in an end-to-end game after home side Burgh went ahead early on through Ryan Officer. The visitors fought back to get on level terms moments later and took the lead before the break. 


Johnstone came out all guns blazing in the second half and levelled with 10 minutes remaining through Ross Geddes.


But there was no satisfaction for McKim, who blasted the poor performance and the dropped points.


He said: “I’m not happy with that at all. That’s the kind of games we should be winning this season. 


“Things have changed at this club now. We’re not happy with draws any more. We’re here to win every match and the squad we’ve built should have been able to do that on Saturday. 


“Our attitude wasn’t right, which is why we didn’t get the three points. There has been some complacency sneaking in with the players maybe getting ahead of themselves, but that won’t happen again. 


“I had a word with the boys on Saturday and again on Monday night at training. There was a bit of indiscipline that I wasn’t happy with, but we’ve sorted it out now.”


Despite the disappointment and his uncompromising appraisal, McKim did allow himself a moment to savour the impressive form of new striker Officer.


The young forward has shown glimpses of the form that saw him net more than 150 goals in two seasons with amateur club Glynhill Moorcroft and McKim has warned that the 22-year-old will only get better. 


“We knew what we were getting when we first signed him,” McKim said. “He’s a natural goalscorer. 


“He’s had a great start, but he’s still learning the other side of the game – holding the ball and linking the play. 


“We watched him last year before we signed him and he was brilliant at all that but he’s coming up against stronger defenders now. He’s getting stronger and will only get better. 


“Ryan has got a big future and will score goals at any level. He’s played three league games for us so far and he has two goals. You can’t ask for much more than that.”


Burgh now make the short trip to New Western Park to face Renfrew in the Sectional League Cup tonight (Wednesday) and McKim believes that if his side show up with the right attitude, there is no reason why they cannot see off the West Premiership side.


He added: “We’ve got a big game tonight, but we will have no chance if we go in with the wrong attitude. 


“I am confident, though. It’s all about attitude. We’ve got the ability.

 
“I’ve watched them earlier on this season and they have a lot of talented players. They’re strong, but I believe we have players that can hurt them.”