Football Season Guide

Championship

Scotland

Championship

2021/2022

Kilmarnock

In

Scott Robinson (mid) Livingston); Liam Polworth (mid) Motherwell); Stephen McGinn (mid) Hibernian; Jason Naismith (def) Ross County; Fraser Murray (mid) Hibernian; Sam Walker (gk) Reading; Brad Lyons (mid) Blackburn Rovers; Euan Murray (def) Dunfermline Athletic; Jack Sanders (def) Wigan Athletic; Daniel Armstrong (mid) Raith Rovers; Blair Alston (mid) Falkirk; Chris Stokes (def) Forest Green Rovers; Zach Hemming (gk) Middlesbrough;

Out

Kyle Lafferty (k)(att) Anorthosis Famagusta; Eamonn Brophy (r)(att) St Mirren; Greg Kiltie (r)(att) St Mirren; Kirk Broadfoot (r)(def) Inverness Caledonian Thistle; Mitch Pinnock (r)(att) Northampton Town; Nicke Kabamba (sp)(att) Northampton Town; Ross Millen (r)(def) Scunthorpe United; Aaron McGowan (sp)(def) Northampton Town; Craig Ross (def) Stranraer); Josh Rennie (att) Stranraer; Youssouf Mulumbu (mid); Gary Dicker (r)(mid); Aaron Tshibola (sp)(mid); Danny Rogers (sp)(gk); Clevid Dikamona (sp)(def); George Oakley (sp)(att); Diaguely Dabo (mid); Danny Whitehall (sp)(att); Ally Taylor (mid); Kirk McKnight (att) Dumbarton - loan; Curtis Lyle (gk) Stranraer - loan;

Kilmarnock dropped out of the Premiership with little more than a whimper. They were convincingly defeated by Dundee in the play-offs despite finding some form towards the end of the regular season. Alex Dyer had struggled as manager and the vastly experienced Tommy Wright replaced him in February, but Wright could not save them from the drop. At least 19 have left Rugby Park as Kilmarnock downsize and reorganise for life in the Championship. Star striker Kyle Lafferty departed among some animosity despite his almost goal-a-game record. Forwards Eamonn Brophy and Greg Kiltie have opted to stay in the Premiership with St Mirren. Veteran defender Kirk Broadfoot has moved to Inverness while other defenders, Millen and McGowan, have transferred to English teams. Kilmarnock have brought in 12 replacements as they hope to fight their way out of the Championship. Filling defensive roles will be Dunfermline captain Euan Murray and Jason Naismith from Ross County. Among many midfielders that have signed are Robinson (Livingston), Polworth (Motherwell), McGinn (Hibs), Armstrong (Raith) and Murray (Hibs). No obvious replacement for Lafferty has been found yet. The manner of their relegation came as a shock to Kilmarnock. They need a major rebuild and Wright has not been slow in making big changes. However, with so many changes it is inevitable Kilmarnock will take time to gel.

Target

Kilmarnock are obviously looking at a swift return to the Premiership by winning the title. However, with a recast squad no better than several other teams, it will be a struggle.