Broadfoot worried for future of Killie players
IT IS an unfortunate truism of football that relegation has a lasting impact on more than just the players. Belts are tightened, cloths are cut, and more often than not it is those in the background who suffer the most.
Less obvious, at least for now, is just how much tighter purse strings will be for clubs who were hardly lighting cigars with five-pound notes before anyone had even heard of Covid.
This has not been lost on Kirk Broadfoot. With Kilmarnock’s Premiership future still uncertain, he readily admits the next few weeks could be crucial to the team and the players’ livelihoods.
“I think everyone needs to realise that we are going into every game not knowing where we are going to be next season,” said the 36-year-old, whose side are just two points above bottom-placed Hamilton Accies.
“We could get relegated and you could be out of contract. Where do you go from there? I’m not being disrespectful, but if you get relegated with Kilmarnock teams are going to be saying, ‘well, if you have been relegated, I don’t want him’.
“I think players need to realise that they are playing
for their livelihoods. And you’ve got to go out into every game as if it’s your last.
“All round it has been a strange season, with Covid, and at the beginning of the season we were really unlucky when we were playing well [but] individual mistakes killed us, and then we had
a change of manager [when Tommy Wright replaced Alex Dyer], which happens when you don’t get results.”
It took some time for Wright to turn around results but in recent weeks Killie have looked a totally different team and on Saturday they secured a place in the quarter finals of the
Scottish Cup with a 3-1 win over Montrose.
The scoreline does not tell the full story, however, and it was the part-timers who emerged with a lot of credit, outplaying their Premiership opponents for much of the match.
“They are a good side and were a credit to the tournament,” said Broadfoot, whose team face St Mirren in the next round.
“But I think it was all about getting through for us. Credit to Montrose, they made it difficult for us.”
Crucial to the visitors’ fine display was the vibrancy with which teenagers Harry Cochrane and Chris Mochrie took to the field. The duo, along with the likes of Russell McLean and Aidan Quinn, impressed and with Cochrane having made the decision not to extend his contract at parent club Hearts, his future is sure to be a talking point during the off-season.
Whatever happens, his current boss, Stewart Petrie, is sure his cohort of youngsters can play at the highest level.
“I’d like think some of the younger players can play at this level,” he said.
“Harry Cochrane has been out for four or five weeks and I thought he was outstanding. I don’t think there’s any doubt Harry can play top-flight football. Anyone watching him would see all they need to of Harry. He’s been out over a month but gave us a great level of energy and ability on the ball.”