Thursday, September 19, 2024

Killie in ‘horribly false position’ at bottom

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[BBC]

BBC Sport Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.

Dugald asked: What’s your league position prediction now that Europe is out of the way and there were minimal squad changes during the summer?

Tom answered: What a weird beginning to the season it’s been for Killie, Dugald. Unquestionably, the European stuff has made life harder in domestic football, but there are layers to that as well. Going away to Celtic and (a much improved) Aberdeen is a tough beginning when you’re also juggling Europe.

The red cards are a further nuance. The 3-0 against St Johnstone was a shocker, but losing Joe Wright so early wasn’t great. Another red against Aberdeen and another against Motherwell in the League Cup. It’s one uphill task after another.

One goal scored and 10 conceded in the league is awful, but Killie are in a horribly false position at the bottom. They won’t be there for long. Top six has to be the target and I think you’ll get there – fifth would be my guess right now, but I change my mind every day on this.

Wolfgang asked: Do you think the likes of Kilmarnock would have a better or worse chance of growing into a team that could compete with Rangers and Celtic if we had 16 clubs in the top flight?

Tom answered: I really don’t think it would make any difference. It’s a footballing impossibility for Kilmarnock to go the distance with Celtic. And though Rangers have their troubles, Killie just don’t have the squad depth and financial muscle to live with them over the course of a season either. That’s the very sad reality of Scottish football – and it’s an enormous problem in the landscape here.

A 16-team league would only give Celtic more of an advantage, I feel. They wouldn’t slip up against the extra four clubs who would come in, but everybody else bar the Old Firm might do so, on a given day, when injuries and a wee downturn in form start biting.

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