Stuart Malcolm comments on signing Leeds target George Stanger

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In comments reported by the Daily Record, manager Stuart Malcolm has expressed his delight after East Kilbride signed George Stanger on loan, with the Kilby boss aware of interest from Leeds United in the young defender.

The Evening Times reported last month that the Whites are interested in the New Zealand under-23 international. He has since gone on to make his Scottish Premiership debut for Hamilton Academical at the start of this season.

However, with opportunities at Accies set to be limited, the 19-year-old has left to join the Lowland League side on loan until January.

And after completing his switch, Malcolm has suggested that it is a major coup for East Kilbride given the interest in Stanger from the Championship high-flyers.

“George has obviously done well for Hamilton, he’s played for their first team and his attributes will always lend themselves to people being interested in him,” he said, as reported by the Daily Record.

“I’ve read Leeds and other English Championship clubs are looking at him, so we are delighted to get him on loan.”

TBR’s view

Stanger has got a golden opportunity to impress Leeds and his other admirers. He now has a chance to play regularly and show why there is interest in him.

It would be no surprise if he did end up on the move when his loan ends in January. Leeds have put a lot of time into strengthening their youth ranks in recent years.

Stuart McKinstry was signed from Hamilton’s Scottish Premiership rivals Motherwell in the summer. And the Whites do appear to need more defenders after selling a number in the summer.

Hamilton will be hoping that Stanger does impress, but that may be exactly what pushes him closer to the exit. Leeds could be a tough side for a youngster to reject. So it will be interesting to see what happens if the Whites do step up their interest in the future.