KILMARNOCK

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

KIRK BROADFOOT is not an attacking star in the manner of Souleymane Coulibaly, Killie’s great summer signing last season.

But Broadfoot is exactly what they need and is the most exciting of Lee McCulloch’s summer recruitments.

He is a solid, reliable defender, great in the air and a footballer with a good presence about him.

He is 32 years old now, but that level of experience is what Kilmarnock require at the back and he will be very comfor table in the Premiership environment.

MANAGER

LEE McCULLOCH ( left) took a little while to take up the position permanently. But he did a good job as stand-in after Lee Clark left for Bury in February, getting Killie to safety after it looked like they could be in relegation trouble.

He turned it around, and in the process showed very good potential to become a decent manager.

The way the team played, the changes he made to the team when it was required and the way he spoke about games were all impressive.

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER

KRIS BOYD has described Greg Kiltie ( pictured far left) as a player in the Steven Naismith mould, who could eventually make the club a lot of money. I see where he is coming from. He is a young lad, still just 20, but is getting better all the time.

With the help and encouragement of men with a heap of experience under their belt, like Boyd, I would expect that process to continue this season.

REASONS TO BE FEARFUL

KILLIE scored fewer goals than any other team in the Premiership last season.

Their haul of just 36 worked out at less than one a game, and they were the only side to go below that mark.

Ross County netted a dozen more than them, and fellow strugglers Motherwell were ten to the good.

So Kris Boyd has to find his shooting boots – and he could do with some back- up. Manager McCulloch will be well aware of that.