Former Partick
Thistle midfielder Martin Hardie signed a one year
contract with Killie yesterday. Today he jets out to Italy today
with
Killie
Martin Hardie ....
"This is a great move, especially with the club finishing
fourth last season and just missing out on Europe."
"There were a few clubs interested in me and
the day before I came down to sign last week an English club phoned
wanting me to sign. It was very tempting, but my daughter Megan was just
four days old so I just knocked it on the head.
"I also knocked it back because I knew the
gaffer wanted me to sign and it would keep me in Scotland."
On His signing delay... "The
talks stalled when the baby was born and I was cooped up in hospital.
"She's our first and obviously I had to take
a wee bit of time before speaking to the gaffer again.
"I held off at Thistle despite being offered
a new deal just to see what would happen in the summer.
"Jim Jefferies contacted my agent and asked
if I would like to sign and it went from there. It's Premier League
football again but this time I'm looking towards Europe whereas at
Thistle last year our aim was to avoid relegation.
"It's only a one-year deal but hopefully if
I improve and get a few games under my belt then there will be a better
deal next season."
Jim Jefferies on
Hardie ..."The financial
constraints at the club meant there wasn't that much and although other
clubs made him better offers he has chosen to come here.
"I'm delighted. It gives us a physical
presence which the squad maybe lacked
