Killie FC

2020-21 Managers Comments

Alex Dyer's comments to the press for Season 2020-21 can be found here....

Oct 17th 2020 on the Livi Post-Match: “We came here with a job to do and we did it well. We were organised - I've got an honest bunch of footballers who enjoy what they do and want to work hard for this club. They've had two weeks without doing anything and to come in and put in a performance like that is very pleasing. We didn't panic when we went behind, we scored at the right times and that gave us a bit of a lift. We went on and dominated the game, I thought. I didn't feel as though we were really troubled. Dikamona was excellent, that's why I brought him here because he's got experience. He's now given me a question to ponder - do I take him out again? I can rotate and change whenever I need to."

On the Covid-19 Situation: “I don't think what happened to St Mirren today is any surprise - it's happened to us and it's going to happen to many other teams. I hope the ones they have affected are all well and safe. We have to look after one another, and not use what's going on as a blame game. We can play the games anytime, there's no supporters coming in at the moment. The SFA shouldn't be looking at always blaming someone and having enquiries. The whole country's under pressure at the moment and football's part of that." - Match Recap - (Includes Alex Dyer video interview).

Oct 16th on the Livi Pre-Match: "We emailed the league and they said Livi didn’t want to postpone the game so we have to play the game. We’re just asking for a little bit of fairness so players can come back and make sure they’re right for the game whether it’s one or two days down the line and play the game. The truth is everybody looks after their own. It’s disappointing because it would be fair for someone to give us a little bit more time. It could happen to anybody and any football club – and people should help one another. We want to play the game but I don’t want to play if I don’t have enough players. The rules are if you have 13 fit players then you need to play, so we will need to see on that one.”
On the League’s Probe into a potential Covid protocol breach at Rugby Park: “They’re still looking into it. The authorities have been in and had a look around at our facilities and how we do things. As far as I know they’ve said we’ve done the right things. We don’t know how the virus came in, we aren’t going to pinpoint one player and say, ‘He brought it in’, no one knows.”

Oct 12th 2020 on the Pars Lge Cup Tie: "Half of them hadn't even played any reserve team football. With five first team players in, at least we can give Dunfermline an actual football match. I'll work with their coach to see which ones are best placed to make that step up to the first team. With senior players alongside them, they'll be okay."
On 'Livingston saying no to cancellation': "I asked if we could have the game put back two or three days," That was a no. So we sent an email to the league and they said Livi didn't want to respond again so we have to play the game. It's not great because we're all here to help one another. We're going through a situation in the whole of the country, not just in football. I am asking for a little bit of fairness so my players can come back and make sure they're right for the game. But that's not the case, we have to play the game long as I've got 13 fit players. It is disappointing because it would be fair for someone to give us a little bit more time, because it could happen to any football club."

Oct 1st 2020 on 3 Killie Players Testing Positive for Covid-19: "We thought it was just a bug because of the changing of the weather then we found out three players tested positive, We won't feel sorry for ourselves - it's part of life. We'll train when we are allowed to and do all the things we can. If they let us play the game we'll do the best we can."

Sept 26th on the Saints Post-Match: "We were in control, we managed the game well, we got out goal and we passed the ball very well. We were in control from start to finish, to be honest. The gameplan is to come here and try and win whatever way we can. We've been passing the ball well this season whether we've got good results or not and we believe in what we do, so the main thing is to carry on doing that and hopefully the results will come and the last couple of games they have." - Match Recap -

Sept 25th on BLM Initiative: “It’s about life in general. It’s about the man or woman who is walking down the street and getting abused. It’s about you getting harassed when you shouldn’t be. It’s about getting stopped when you shouldn’t for no reason. That’s what it’s all about. It’s not about me not getting a job or whether I should get one or not in football. It’s about people in everyday life who get harassed for the colour of their skin. It came about because someone lost their life. Not because someone didn’t get a job. Or me not getting a job three years ago somewhere else. Or the next time a black person goes for a job in football. It’s about an everyday person going about their business and someone feeling they have the right to abuse them or take their life. That’s not changed, so we need to carry on. We still need to send a message out there that things aren’t right and keep drumming it in. We need to keep asking for support to get the right things in life. I don’t agree with what they’ve done because I don’t think many things have changed.”

Sept 19th on the Accies Post-Match: “It was an outstanding performance to a man they were brilliant, especially after they went down to ten men. But the ref gave it and the boys just had to get on with it. It would have been easy for the lads to let their heads drop but they didn’t let that happen. I am actually disappointed we didn’t score more because I felt we cut them open at times, especially in the second half. I am standing here smiling because everybody worked so hard. We got the right result in the end.”
On Chris Burke (who assisted both goals) : “Chris has been excellent since he came back to the club and he has formed a good partnership with Gary Dicker.”
On Brophy's Red Card: “It’s a difficult one, I don’t think it was intentional. If he’d got a yellow I’d have said fair enough. I don’t think Brophy went to hurt the lad. - Match Recap -

Sept 12th on the Dons Post-Match: "I thought we played well enough to get something. We had three or four good opportunities in the game and didn't take them. We worked the ball well, especially in the second half, we had them on the back foot a bit but just couldn't capitalise and finish off the good work that we did." - Match Recap -

Aug 29th on the Arabs Post-Match: "Perfect performance, The boys worked hard. It was coming. We played well overall, the boys deserve it and the whole club deserve it. It’s the first time this season I’ve played two up front. I knew we needed to get a result today, so I wanted to be positive. It’s a crucial win, it’s a morale booster. The players believe in what we’re trying to achieve, but we've just not had the rub of the green and we got that today." - Match Recap -

Aug 26th on Stepping Down as Steve Clarke's No Two: "It’s a big wrech. I love working with the gaffer [Steve Clarke] and working for Scotland. It's been a proud moment, but this is my true calling and I have to make sure I do this right and concentrate 100 per cent. I don’t want to let anyone down at Kilmarnock or at Scotland. I spoke to Steve Clarke and we had a good chat about it. He was brilliant about it, he understands and he gave me good advice. He knows I’ve got to concentrate on this, it would be unfair to be on Scotland duty and not be here where I am needed.  I have got a good assistant, but it wouldn’t be right.  Andy Millen could take charge any time, but it wouldn’t be right as this is my job. It wasn’t an automatic decision, but I always knew that if I got the Killie job it would be hard for me to do both. It wouldn’t be fair for Killie or Scotland, it wouldn’t be right.  I don’t want to go there and be thinking about Kilmarnock, especially when we’re in the Betfred Cup.  We have to concentrate on those games, the cups are important for us. We want to do the best we can in those games."

Aug 22nd on the Rangers Post-Match: "We have come up against a side who are playing well at the moment and are top of the league. Obviously we would like more points on the board. But the performances have been decent and we need to turn them into results."   - Match Recap -

Aug 15th on the Saints Post-Match:  "We were comfortable, then the sending-off changed the game. It gave them impetus to get at us. Individual errors have cost us. We were controlling the game, got the goal, and we were fine. And then we went to bits - after the sending-off we crumbled. Even when they got it back to 1-1, we should have seen the game out."   - Match Recap -

Aug 12th on the Staggies Post-Match:  "I'm happy with the boys. It was a good performance in the second half. We played 10 yards further up the pitch. We scored two good goals and could have had three or four. [On Chris Burke's penalty claim] He [Josh Reid] has pulled his shirt. The linesman should see it. He was through on goal. I don't understand that one. The second one [from goal-bound Kirk Broadfoot header] was definitely handball. They got one with the handball on Burkey when it wasn't really handball. It's a good pointbut by rights we should have had the 3 points, but it is not to be. The performances have been good in all three games." - Match Recap -

Aug 9th on the Celtic Post-Match: "We didn't panic too much after losing the goal and I thought we were quite comfortable. Nicke Kabamba has been brilliant since he joined us. He works hard for the team and he was a joy to watch. He's a handful and he wants to learn and go on to the next level. Chris Burke really believes in this club. He is infectious and the lads love him. It's good for the younger ones to see that kind of attitude every single day." - Match Recap -

Aug 7th on Jake Eastwood's Injury: "That's a blow to us - but also a bigger blow to the young lad, We'll do the best to look after him. We'll have a chat with Sheffield United and see where we go. It's a grade-three tear, which is a big injury. We do have Danny (Rodgers) here though, which is reassuring. He's done well in pre-season. It was harsh on him to not start at Easter Road as he had done well."

Aug 6th on Signing Clevid Dikamona: “Clevid has is a strong defender who has experience in this league and I needed someone who could fit in straight away so I hope he is going to be a good addition to the club.”

Aug 1st on the Hibs Post-Match: “I was disappointed with the manner of the two goals we lost. The first one was a complete rush of blood from the young goalkeeper. It was a mistake but he is a good keeper and he will learn. You see guys in the Premier League do that all the time. That was not the reason I took him off at half-time. He had a problem with his quad and we will have to get it assessed. If he had been fully fit then he would have stayed on the pitch. There were a lot of positives to take from the match despite the result. I thought we showed a lot of spirit after going behind and I thought we controlled the game for long spells. The goal was also something special and I am encouraged by the whole performance. We just need to stop making life hard for ourselves by conceding sloppy goals.” - Match Recap -

July 31st on Re-Signing Aaron Tshibola: “We’re delighted to have Aaron back at the club and he’s a player the supporters already know well. He’s a talented midfielder who I believe can really help improve our squad and it’s great to have him back around the place. The squad has taken shape really nicely, and Aaron’s another piece of the puzzle.”

July 25th on the Final Bounce (Arabs) Match: “I hadn’t even sat down in my seat and we were one goal down but we regrouped after a good 15 minutes and I thought we played well after that. We moved the ball better and created chances. I switched things around in the second half and we got the goal early doors and we had most of the game but it was a good workout for the boys. I’m happy with the work we’ve done this summer. We’ve had a good pre-season and the lads have trained very well. We’re still rusty in areas and it will take time to pass the ball nice and sharply, the way we want to. I’m excited for the next week and the first match against Hibs. It’s about putting out a side that will represent the club and put in a good performance.”

June 19th on his Squad: “The core is there but we do need three to four players to cover certain positions,” (said Dyer, who has put two new goalkeepers at the top of his list.) "The squad is alright. We know it needs help but hopefully I can make it better to make the lads here grow a bit more. Free market. Loan market. That’s where we’re at. We don’t really buy any players. We look and see if we can get the best ones out there who are free, whose contracts are up. The finance isn’t going to be around. Everyone has to take a cut. The budget is going to be cut so we have to adapt and do the best we can. We’re doing our due diligence on players. Hopefully we will get three to four in who will make the ones here go to another level.”

June 15th 2020 on Becoming Permanent Manager: “I’m extremely proud to continue as manager of this wonderful football club and I thank the Board of Directors for the faith they’ve shown me. My passion and desire to lead this club and team has been strengthened during these recent months away from football and I’m looking forward to start working with the team again as we prepare for the season ahead. I’ve always enjoyed a close bond with the fans and I’ve been blown away by how they’ve continued to show their support during the shutdown. This season, starting out without supporters in the stadium, will be unlike any other that I’ve ever known but that continued sense of unity can help carry us through until we’re able to reunite at Rugby Park.” .