KILLIE RELEASE 12 AS O’DONNELL DEPARTS

KILMARNOCK last night confirmed that Scotland full-back Stephen O’Donnell will head up an exodus of a dozen first-team players from Rugby Park. In a stark illustration of the financial issues created by the coronavirus lockdown, Killie have released out-of-contract players Harry Bunn, Adam Frizzell, Stephen Hendrie, Jan Koprivec, Devlin Mackay and Iain Wilson. Laurentiu Branescu, Dario Del Fabro, Niko Hamalainen, Connor Johnson and Harvey St Clair will all join their respective parent clubs after their loan deals expired. O’Donnell has decided to try his luck elsewhere at the end of this month after turning down attempts to persuade him to sign a new deal. With clubs denied gate income and facing crippling losses, as well as the uncertainty over a date for football’s resumption, the Ayrshire club admitted they had no option but to let players go. They remain in talks over new deals, however, with Chris

Burke, Greg Kiltie, Jamie MacDonald, Rory McKenzie and Ross Millen. Interim manager Alex Dyer — yet to be appointed on a permanent basis — admitted the loss of 11-times capped O’Donnell was a blow to the club. ‘It is never easy to see players depart the club,’ he said, ‘especially in these circumstances where the guys have not had the chance to say goodbye to the crowd and the fans have not had the opportunity to thank the players for their contribution. ‘In Stephen O’Donnell’s case, we tried our very best to keep him and spoke on numerous occasions, both in person and on the phone, but he wants to explore his options as he’s entitled to do as a free agent. ‘Stephen has been a fantastic player for this football club and a good person to have around the place. As is the case with all the players, we thank them for their efforts and wish them all the best.’