The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kilmarnock

  • Liam Millar joins Kilmarnock on loan from Liverpool

    Liverpool youngster Liam Millar has joined Kilmarnock on loan for the rest of the season.

    The 19-year-old forward signed a new long-term contract with the Reds on Thursday before travelling to Scotland to finalise his switch.

    Millar, who originally joined the Fulham academy at age 13, has been a regular for Liverpool’s under-23 side this season, and has also played a big part in the under-19s’ UEFA Youth League campaign.

    Already a full international with Canada, Millar will now provide an extra option for Steve Clarke’s side, which have been a surprise package in this season’s Scottish Premier League.

    Killie currently sit third in the table, level on points with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers and just six behind leaders Celtic.

    Canada-born, he arrived on Merseyside in the summer of 2016 and has impressed Academy staff with his pace, direct style and eye for goal. He made his senior international debut for Canada in March 2018, and was the Academy’s leading goalscorer last season with a total of 19 goals.

    He’s made four total appearances for his country since making his debut in March 2018 after previously playing for the Canada under-20 and under-23 teams.

    Liverpool remain top of the Premier League following Wednsday’s 1-1 draw with Leicester, a result that saw the Reds open up a five-point lead over Manchester City, who fell to Newcastle on Tuesday.

     

  • Gabriel secures victory with Kilmarnock

    Gabriel secures victory with Kilmarnock

    Reuben Gabriel was handed his debut in the Scottish Premier League by Kilmarnock yesterday, and the former Kano Pillars ace contributed to a rare 2-1 win over Ross County.

    The Scottish side had not won a game since the last week of October, a run that had included three Premier League and one Scottish Cup game.

    Gabriel had played his first official game in Scotland against Dundee United last week in a 5-2 loss.

    Chris Johnston shot the visiting Kilmarnock ahead in the 7th minute, but Stuart Kettlewell drew the home side level with a 33rd minute effort.

    But former Scottish international, Kris Boyd, scored what proved to be the winner with two minutes left in the half.

    Gabriel was taken off in the 73rd minute, and Barry Nicholson came on in his place.

    The other Nigerian player at Kilmarnock, Rabiu Ibrahim, was left on the bench for the whole encounter.

  • Kilmarnock stop coach from playing Reuben Gabriel

    Kilmarnock stop coach from playing Reuben Gabriel

    Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Reuben Gabriel’s future with Scottish Premier League club Kilmarnock is hanging by a thread.

    The 23-year-old has spent more than a week in Kaduna even though he is in good physical condition.

    Kilmarnock manager, Allan Johnston, recently questioned by British press, is keeping sealed lips on the club’s plan for Reuben Gabriel, and he suggested that the former Kano Pillars star was not in the first team as he was just recovering from injury.

    In reality, this portal can exclusively report that Allan Johnston has been instructed by the Kilmarnock brass not to feature the central midfielder in official matches due to documentation problems regarding his transfer from Kano Pillars.

    And the Nigerian has since stopped playing for the reserves and training with the main team.

    Coach of the National Team, Stephen Keshi is trying to rescue the career of Reuben Gabriel, one of his favorite pupils.

    He has invited the midfielder for the World Cup play – off match against Ethiopia on Saturday.

  • Reuben Gabriel’s Kilmarnock debut delayed

    Reuben Gabriel’s Kilmarnock debut delayed

    At a time when new signings of Scottish club Kilmarnock are getting set to make their debuts, Super Eagles defensive midfielder Reuben Gabriel may have to wait longer to play a competitive game for the club.

    Gabriel was last week cleared to resume training by the medical team of the club, but he seems not to have gained full fitness to be in action this weekend.

    Kilmarnock new boys Barry Nicholson and Mark Stewart are set to make their home debuts against Hibs at Rugby Park today. The pair signed for Killie last week from Fleetwood and Dundee respectively and are hoping to feature in front of home fans for the first time.

    The inclusion of Stewart is made more likely by the absence of former Scotland striker Kris Boyd, who begins a two-match ban for his red card against St Mirren.

    Hibs are also dealing with a suspension – to midfielder Kevin Thomson – and Liam Craig and Scott Robertson are struggling to shake off minor knocks ahead of the trip.

    Captain James McPake is yet to prove his fitness, while Alex Harris and Paul Cairney are both long-term absentees.

  • Kilmarnock moves to beat deadline for Reuben, Idris

    Kilmarnock moves to beat deadline for Reuben, Idris

    Scottish side Kilmarnock has moved to beat Sunday’s registration deadline to sign Nigeria internationals Papa Idris and Gabriel Reuben.

    It is understood that the Rugby Park side has gained work permit endorsements from the Scottish Football Association for both players who are both free agents having left Kano Pillars earlier in the season.

    Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels is concerned the club won’t conclude the deals before the SPL deadline to register free agents for the remainder of the campaign but, if successful, says both will add valuable experience at the back.

    “There’s a lot of stuff needs to be done,” the Kilmarnock boss told STV. “International Transfer Certificate, paperwork, all that sort of stuff.

    “There are two international players we’ve been speaking to. They would be really good for the development of our young players.

    “We need that international experience in there to try and help them.

    “Defending is difficult because we get forward so much and leave holes in the sides.

    “That’s the way we play – with an attacking philosophy. Sometimes there is trade off when you do that.”

    MTNFootball.com reports that defender Idris, 23, has been capped three times by his country, while midfielder Reuben, 22, was on the Nigeria squad for the recent Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    Former Nigeria U-20 star Rabiu Ibrahim features for Kilmarnock.

     

  • Rabiu Ibrahim quits Celtic

    Rabiu Ibrahim quits Celtic

    … Joins Kilmarnock

    Kilmarnock has completed the signing of Nigeria midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim from Celtic on a permanent basis.

    MTNFootball.com reports that the 21-year-old has agreed a two-year contract with the Rugby Park club after Celtic allowed him to move on in search of regular first-team football.

    Ibrahim had an offer from abroad and was also believed to be a loan target for other Scottish sides.

    “He’s signed a two year deal with us,” Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels told STV.

    “I believe it’s quite a coup for Kilmarnock and we are a good fit for him.

    “Rabiu had an offer from a club in Russia but he and his advisors thought it would be better for his career development to stay in Scotland and they were equally as keen as we were for the deal to go through.

    “We signed him on a free transfer.”

    Ibrahim will not join up with his new team-mates immediately as he is currently with the Super Eagles ahead of the team’s friendly with Catalonia on Wednesday night.

    The player, who has been capped at Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 levels by his country, has also been included in Nigeria’s preliminary squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

    “He’s away with the Nigeria squad for the AFCON at the moment,” Shiels said.

    “I believe January 9 is the deadline for them to name their final squad. I would quite like him to be name in the squad for his confidence.

    “If he is named then as soon as they go out of the competition he will join up with us,” the Kilmarnock boss added.