BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
Injury could have ended Kirk’s career but now Killie ace has set his sights on playing until 40
KIRK BROADFOOT feared his busted back would force him into retirement.
Now, rejuvenated at Kilmarnock under the management of Steve Clarke, the defender feels he could play until he is 40.
Broadfoot’s resurgence at Rugby Park epitomises the rehabilitation of the club.
Forced to undergo two lots of back surgery last season the stopper wondered if he’d have to hang up the boots.
But Broadfoot, 33, kept battling and is thriving under Clarke’s stewardship.
And ahead of Killie’s trip to face Motherwell today, Broadfoot said: “I love football and I love training.
“I had a bad year last season with my back operation. Then breaking down and having the same operation again, I didn’t know if I’d play again.
“I thought that might possibly be it over. It might be time to call it a day. But I saw a top surgeon and he assured me I’d get back playing if I did the things he told me.
“I was dedicated enough to do it. I dedicate my life to football and I’m back.
“I’ve always worked on my core but do more now to protect my back. I batter my back twice a day just to make sure I’m right.
“If I keep doing the right things it might get me a couple more years.
“Who knows the future, it’s day by day. I can’t see around the corner. Hopefully I can play until I’m 40 even though I take it year by year.
“I came home for family reasons and Kilmarnock was a new and fresh start.
“It took me a couple of months to get up to speed but I’m enjoying my football and winning helps. Training is brilliant and the group is great. The club looks after you and everything is great.
“My family is home, I get to see my parents more, my wife gets to see her family, the kids are settled. I can’t complain.
“That helps and I just try to enjoy myself every day and be chilled out.”
Broadfoot is thriving and believes much of his success at the moment is down to his manager.
And the centre-back’s admiration for Clarke leads him to put the Killie gaffer on a pedestal alongside his old Rangers boss Walter Smith.
Broadfoot said: “Walter was brilliant at telling you how a game was going to go.
“He’d say if we did this or that we’d win the game and the gaffer here is the same.
“He’s top drawer and up there in that sense with Walter, maybe even ahead in terms of working wise and coaching. Walter was more man-management than coaching but in terms of that the gaffer is right up there.
“In terms of winning trophies Walter is higher but just from a personal point of view and working with managers he’s so good.
“The only other manager I can think of similar is Michael Appleton with the way he worked towards the game.
“The gaffer is honest and when he speaks he means it.
“The points are put across and the players appreciate the honesty. He’s straight down the middle.
“If he drops you he tells you why. That’s all you can ask for.
“I don’t like managers who drop you and then tell you you’re doing great. If you’re doing great you’d be playing.
“He tells you why and is not a ranter and raver. He had a wee go at us at half-time on Tuesday night but it was needed as the first half was as poor as we’ve played.
“After that he changed the system and we got a result. That says it all.
“The game has changed from old-school ranting. I’d rather have constructive criticism as opposed to, ‘You’re rubbish’.
“If I’m rubbish I’d like to know why and what I’m doing wrong. That’s where the gaffer tells you.
“It makes you better as a player and makes you respect the man too.”
The gaffer is top drawer and up there with Walter – maybe even ahead in terms of coaching KIRK BROADFOOT