KILMARNOCK
LAST SEASON: 9th, 45 points
NOTABLE INS: Darren Barr (Heart of Midlothian), Conor Brennan (Leicester City), Antonio Reguero (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Craig Samson (St. Mirren)
NOTABLE OUTS: Cammy Bell (Rangers), James Dayton (Oldham Athletic), Kyle Letheren (Dundee), Ryan O'Leary (Los Angeles Blues), Danny Racchi (Valur), Cillian Sheridan (Apoel Nicosia), Garry Hay, Papa Idris, Anssi Jaakkola, Mahamadou Sissoko
LAST SEASON'S BEST XI (departed players crossed out):
THE SQUAD (u-21 players in italics)
Goalkeepers: Conor Brennan, Antonio Reguero, Craig Samson
Defenders: Lee Ashcroft, Darren Barr, Ross Barbour, Gary Fisher, Rory McKeown, Mark O'Hara, Jeroen Tesselaar
Midfielders: Sammy Clingan, Ross Davidson, James Fowler, Reuben Gabriel, Rabiu Ibrahim, Greg Kiltie, Manuel Pascali, Borja Perez, Greg Slater, Jude Winchester
Forwards: Kris Boyd, William Gros, Paul Heffernan, Chris Johnston, Rory McKenzie, Robbie Muirhead
IF HE GETS INJURED, THEY'RE SCREWED: Would you rather have the goal threat of Kris Boyd or the work rate of PAUL HEFFERNAN? I think the latter is more important to Killie's prospects, and it will be interesting to see which of the forwards Allan Johnston ends up building his team around.
STAR OF THE FUTURE? Full-back, centre-back, central midfield...no-one seems sure what 17 year old MARK O'HARA's best position is yet, but it's reassuring for Kilmarnock that he's looked decent wherever he's filled in.
THE SEASON AHEAD: Eighteen months ago, Kilmarnock won the League Cup and Kenny Shiels was the toast of the town. But the Northern Irishman got his jotters in June, partly after overseeing a disappointing season but mainly because his outspokenness and penchant for getting into conflict with the authorities was just too much for the club. Add in a summer of supporter protests against the chairman, Michael Johnston, and you'd forgive new manager Allan Johnston if he wished he'd stayed in Dumfries. Johnston has done surprisingly little business since taking over, other than the signing of Darren Barr (both Samson and Reguero were signed by Shiels), and convincing Kris Boyd - or, to give him his full name, Fat Kris Boyd - to stay. Shiels would happily tell everyone who'd listen that Kilmarnock had some terrific youngsters about to break through. Johnston can only hope his predecessor was right.
THE BEST XI?
This was, for me, the most difficult lineup to predict. If Boyd signs, he may be used in a front two, but otherwise Heffernan will start up front on his own with Borja Perez just off him. In the wide areas there is little choice but to use two youngsters, with McKenzie, Johnston, Davidson and Winchester the obvious options. There's more experience in midfield, where Clingan and Pascali, or maybe Fowler if the Italian has to be used in defence, will protect the back four. Johnston has made it clear Barr will play in central defence, and may gamble on another young player such as Barbour and O'Hara alongside him in the hope the ex-Hearts man's experience rubs off. They at least seem set at left back where Tesselaar and McKeown can do an adequate job, and in goal where they have two good options in Samson and Reguero. There still doesn't seem to be a natural right-back, but Fowler has proven over the years he can fill in there. It's unclear if Nigerians Gabriel (a defensive midfielder) and Ibrahim (an attacking midfielder) might fit into this lineup.
EDIT: Following Boyd's signing on a one year deal, he may be used as the lone striker, or even in a front two with Heffernan with Perez pushed wide or left out altogether. Gros (who has signed a new 3 year deal) will also push for a role in a wide area.
THE BOSS: Allan Johnston's Queen of the South side demolished the rest of the Second Division last season and won the Challenge Cup as well, but going from Palmerston to Rugby Park will not be a picnic for the man known as 'Magic'. He'll certainly have to work with less than Kenny Shiels or Mixu Paatelainen did. His previous association with the club may buy him time if results don't come straight away, as will as the fact that any supporter ire is likely to be initially directed at his unpopular chairman. I'd expect a continuation of the passing style that has characterised this side since Paatelainen. More reinforcements between now and the end of August are likely, and are necessary as well.
CLICHE YOU'RE MOST LIKELY TO HEAR: "Keeping it on the deck"
PREDICTION: It's very hard to know how good this Kilmarnock team will be. I fully expect two or three new players to arrive in the next few weeks which may markedly improve the side. As it stands, I don't think they've come close to adequately replacing the creativity of James Dayton, and as such goals may be hard to come by. Maybe the kids will come good. I don't think they'll be good enough yet and think it'll be a tough season with a TENTH place finish.
L.
(Note: this was edited on 1 August to reflect the signings of Kris Boyd and William Gros on new contracts)
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ReplyDeleteAllan McKeown