Catching Up With Shaun Dillion

Kilmarnock defender, Shaun Dillon is the latest recipient of the Bank of Scotland Premierleague Young Player of the Month award, Dillion is currently  in Portugal  with three of his Kilmarnock colleagues and the rest of Rainer Bonhof’s gathering of Scotland under-21s. ....
 

Jim Jefferies on Shaun Dillon..."When experienced players were injured, his performances for the under-18s meant we just had to put him in, Normally young players have a dip in form, but he’s shown no sign of that. He’s solid, and reads the game well for an 18-year-old, and he seems to take everything in his stride."

Dillion on his nightmare Arabs Debut..."I tried to let it not get to my mind I made a mistake and it cost us three points, but I just had to get on with it. The manager told me to forget about it, and that it happens to the best of players. I just had to keep my head up, and after that game I did. I just had to go out again and keep working hard."
 

On His Current Form ..."I’ve started the past 12 games, and the defensive set-up has been working really well for some reason. Greg Shields has that bit of experience, and I feel that I have not done too bad."

On Coaches Alan Robertson, and Ian Durrant..."Both have been brilliant", In paticular  Ian's exceptional help with  passing practice"

On Dec...... "December was a great month for the club as well as myself but I was delighted to win the Young Player of the Month. We had a great result against Celtic and were a bit unlucky against Rangers.

"There's a really good team spirit at Rugby Park which can be seen by the way the boys all stick together when we go one down and the fact we often show enough character to bounce back.

"The gaffer has been encouraging me to take free-kicks and corners which has given me a big confidence boost. I work a lot on my delivery in training.

"I played as a full-back when I started out in the first team and liked to get round my man and whip in balls for the attackers.

"Obviously it's not the same when you're playing as a central defender but at least I know I have something to offer if it's a corner or a free- kick."

On the Portugal Trip..."To have me and another three boys (keeper Craig Sampson, Stephen Murray and Kris Boyd) out here shows faith in Kilmarnock, that we can have players in the under-21 squad here. We’re keeping our fitness levels up too as a result, and hopefully we’ll come back in good shape."

Rainer obviously has his own way of doing things and his attention to detail on tactics is great. He works on technical aspects of the game which is good.

"Sometimes we're only allowed one touch in training and things like that which help improve your game because you obviously have to concentrate on passing.

"It's great experience and good to get away - especially as the weather is so cold back home. And this kind of trip gives you a chance to get to know all the boys.

"If I wasn't in Portugal I would probably have tried to spend time with my family because you don't get much chance over the festive period with so many games.

"It's great to be involved with both Scotland and Kilmarnock - my days of playing for Gourock YAC seem distant now!"