Latest news with #Killie
BBC News
an hour ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Kettlewell on 'lofty ambitions', Killie points balance & Premiership style shift
Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell has been talking to the media before the Scottish Premiership opener at home to promoted Livingston on are the key points:After topping their League Cup group, Kettlewell insists the next short-term target is to simply "get three points on the board" as early as possible but to keep a "consistent mindset" and "believe in what we are trying to do".He was reluctant to outline specific targets for the season publicly but did say "we have lofty ambitions of where we want to be" and that "goals that we all set will be difficult to obtain, but we also think achievable".The former Motherwell and Ross County boss insists success will be determined in three ways - "your league position, a cup run and the potential of selling a player".Killie had the poorest away record in the top flight last season and Kettlewell wants a better balance of results at home and on road - a "split of points as close to 50-50 as you possibly can" - adding that achieving this will make his side "competitive every week".He expects a different kind of challenge in the Premiership given recruitment at other clubs, with less physicality and different recruitment, Kettlewell admits the departure of Corrie Ndaba does leave the squad short but an "offer was made that the club couldn't refuse" by Italian side Thomson is back in training but there are a couple of players with knocks that potentially may be missing this weekend.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Republic of Ireland Under-18 capped Corrie Ndaba leaves Kilmarnock for Lecce
Kilmarnock have sold Republic of Ireland Under-18 international defender Corrie Ndaba to Serie A side Lecce for an undisclosed fee. The versatile 25-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Italian club 12 months after joining Killie on a permanent transfer from Ipswich. The Irishman spent the previous season at Rugby Park on loan and made 76 appearances in total. Ndaba showed his gratitude to the "Kilmarnock family" in a farewell message on social media. "From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you," he wrote. "Since the moment I arrived at Rugby Park, I've felt nothing but love and support from the fans. Your passion, loyalty, and warmth made it an honor (sic) to wear the Kilmarnock badge, and I'll carry those memories with me forever. "The way you welcomed me as one of your own means more than I can put into words. "To the coaching staff, medical team, and everyone behind the scenes — thank you for your belief in me, your hard work, and for helping me grow both on and off the pitch. "To my teammates — thank you for the shared moments, the laughs, and the unity we had every day. It's been a privilege to be part of such a group. "Kilmarnock will always have a place in my heart. I'm excited for the next chapter, but I'll always be a supporter from afar and will be wishing the club nothing but success." A club statement added: "Everyone at Kilmarnock FC would like to thank Corrie for his outstanding contribution to the club and the way he represented Killie throughout his time in Ayrshire. We wish him every success in this exciting next chapter of his career in Italy." The 25-year-old has one cap for the Republic of Ireland U-18 team rom 2016 and was called up to Stephen Kenny's Under-21 side in 2019. Evan Ferguson signed a loan deal with AS Roma from Brighton.
STV News
3 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Killie defender Ndaba leaves Rugby Park to sign for Serie A side Lecce
Corrie Ndaba has left Kilmarnock to sign for Serie A side Lecce. The 25-year-old defender has completed his move to Italy for an undisclosed fee and has put pen to paper on a three-year deal. Ndaba initially joined the Rugby Park side on loan from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2023 before making the move permanent a year later. He quickly established his position at the heart of defence and made a total of 76 appearances in two years at the club, including 38 last season. The Irishman's last appearance in a Killie shirt came in the penalty shootout victory over Kelty Hearts in the League Group Stages earlier this month. The Ayrshire club confirmed his departure on Monday. A statement released on social media said: 'Everyone at Kilmarnock FC would like to thank Corrie for his outstanding contribution to the club and the way he represented Killie throughout his time in Ayrshire. 'We wish him every success in this exciting next chapter of his career in Italy.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Killie to host Dundee United in League Cup
Kilmarnock will host Dundee United in an all top-flight match in the second round of the League a European participant, Dunee United enter the competition at this stage, while Killie topped their group under new manager Stuart are due to be played on the weekend of 16th/17th August.
STV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Kilmarnock defender Corrie Ndaba looks destined to complete Lecce switch
Kilmarnock defender Corrie Ndaba looks set to seal a move to Serie A side Lecce. The 25-year-old joined Killie on a three-year deal last summer after a spell on loan from Ipswich in the 2023-24 campaign and made 38 appearances last term. Amid speculation that he was heading for Italy, Ndaba was not involved as the Ayrshire side sealed their place in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup with a 4-0 home win over East Fife. And on Saturday evening, Lecce posted on X a picture of the Irish defender holding a club scarf, accompanied by a short statement indicating that he was poised to sign for them. 'The footballer Corrie Ndaba arrived in Bressanone in the late afternoon, where he began undergoing medical examinations that will be completed on Monday,' it read. As Ndaba heads for the exit, Killie are welcoming the emergence of a new talent, Ben Brannan. The 18-year-old took his tally for the season to three when he scored a double from left-wing-back in the win over East Fife, adding to earlier strikes from summer signings Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels. 'We speak about him kind of coming flat off that left-hand side onto his stronger right foot,' manager Stuart Kettlewell said in a club interview. 'He's been more accustomed, quite clearly, to playing on the right-hand side. 'But when you look at a young academy player and somebody that's coming in for his first games for this football club, I don't know that you can ask too much more. 'We think he can be a really promising player and a really promising talent for the football club. And what it does is it just continues to kind of pave the way that there's opportunities here for a lot of other young players.' Brannan went off injured in the closing stages but Kettlewell said: 'We think it's just a bit of spasm in his thigh. 'It was obviously uncomfortable at the time, but he was moving about far better when we went back into the dressing room, so fingers crossed he's fit and available for next week and moving into the first league game.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
