Live and let Dyer
After three-year audition, Killie gaffer can be his own man
BY CRAIG SWAN ALEX DYER can’t be accused of not doing the hard yards of a long-term apprenticeship.
The Londoner began life at Kilmarnock as assistant manager to Steve Clarke.
From there, he worked alongside Angelo Alessio when his first gaffer switched to the Scotland job then stepped up into the role as caretaker boss when the Italian was axed.
It has been almost three years of auditioning for the main role for the 54-year-old but now it’s crunch time.
Confirmed as the manager on a permanent basis in June, Dyer is finally fully out of the shadows and holding the responsibility he has worked to attain.
Dyer builds from solid foundations. Having been integral to the brilliant workings of Clarke during his spell at Rugby Park, he’s got the faith of the fans and their backing.
The Englishman also has a squad united behind him. Killie’s senior players have a strong relationship with their boss and backed him fully to land the gig after the rocky spell under Alessio.
Dyer also has a board of directors who thought enough of him to hand him the keys to the club dressing room.
Now, though, it is going to be about what he can do with it. There is no question Dyer is going to do it his way and he has taken time to build up his own squad.
THE striker had a big impact after arriving in January as he settled into life at Kilmarnock.
Kabamba managed four goals before the lockdown but his ability to bring team-mates into the game was a notable aspect of his play – as was the resurgence in Eamonn Brophy after he signed.
The 27-year-old is a top professional who has done his homework on the club as well as the league and is desperate to repay Dyer for handing him a chance in Scotland’s top flight.
Kabamba may not become prolific in terms of numbers when it comes to goals. But he is set to be a vital member of the team set-up.
Nicke Kabamba was his only signing of note and that has already shown he has an eye for a player.
The striker integrated superbly into the group and sparked Eamonn Brophy back to life. That helped his boss steady the ship.
Dyer took away any lingering concerns about relegation and made sure his troops were battling for a top-six spot.
Barring a freakish final few seconds of extra-time in a Scottish Cup quarterfinal replay against Aberdeen, he’d also be on his way to Hampden this autumn.
The fightback home win over Rangers at the end of February proved he has
Clarke’s ability to obtain results against the big clubs.
Given his own head in the market since the return, Dyer has begun shaping a new squad.
Of course, he’ll rely heavily on the old guard. Skipper Gary Dicker and sidekick Alan Power are the driving forces of the set-up, while Stuart Findlay and Kirk Broadfoot are the backbone in defence.
Aaron McGowan’s signing from Hamilton adds another layer of strength.
Brophy and Kabamba will be tasked with providing the goals and the evergreen Chris Burke will have another big role to play as this core will need to help an influx of new faces settle.
Dyer puts trust in those who have done jobs for him in the past, with a move for Clarke loan signing Aaron Tshibola another sign he wants a unit of those who were over the course and distance of the third-place finish achieved in the 2018-19 season.
He’s had to make some changes. Stephen O’Donnell is a big loss but there have been lots of signings with Dyer replacing a number of those who departed.
Money is tight and gems such as Kabamba have to be sourced from unlikely settings.
Arrivals Brandon Haunstrup, Danny Whitehall, Zeno Rossi, Danny Rogers, Mitch Pinnock and Jake Eastwood have the opportunity to make an impact having been handed a big opportunity.
Dyer has witnessed both sides of the coin at Killie. He has seen it fly high, inflicting defeats on the Old Firm and working their way into Europe when he was at Clarke’s side.
At the same time he has seen things go wrong, having been through the Alessio experience. The information gleaned from both scenarios is likely to be invaluable in getting it right.
Dyer has waited and worked to get his chance to lead the way. Now he has the opportunity to prove himself.