Brad Lyons’ return imminent confirms Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes

Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons is eyeing a return to first-team action as he resumed training this week after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 26-year-old has been absent for over three months following a knee operation as a result of an injury he sustained against Dundee in December.

Having been a regular in McInnes’ squad pre-Christmas with 26 appearances this season, the Killie manager expressed his delight at Lyons’ imminent return to first-team football.

He said: “I thought Brad was doing terrifically well when he went out of the team. He fills a few positions for us, but he made that central midfield position his own and was a big influence on the team, as he was at the back end of last season.

“He has had this wee knee niggle for a while, probably since my time here, and it got to the stage where, with the incident of the challenge [against Dundee], we just had to get it dealt with.

“To get him back before the split was always the target and to get him back at this stage of the season is brilliant.

“I think we always worked to the timescale that he would get back for the St Johnstone game next week and, in an ideal world, if everything went well and there were no real setbacks, he could be available for this game on Saturday. And he is.”

“Obviously, he has been out for a long time and we are mindful of that, but he has trained brilliantly this week. You wouldn’t know he has been out for that long.”

Spirits are high at Rugby Park as McInnes’ side, who were embroiled in a relegation battle this time last year, secured their spot in the top six on Saturday with two games to spare following their 1-1 draw with Hearts.

Kilmarnock host relegation strugglers Ross County this weekend as confident Killie push to climb even further up the table for a chance at European football next season.

The Kilmarnock manager also lauded Lyons’ international prospects, after the midfielder earned his first cap for Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against Slovenia in October.

McInnes commented: “Hopefully, that whets the appetite for him to get a few more [caps]. Michael [O’Neill] is aware of all the options that he has. But what Brad is, is someone who breaks the play up, he turns the ball over and he goes beyond strikers. He can play a few positions and I also think his fitness is a huge attribute to him.”

He added: “If he is playing in our team on a regular basis, that can only help his case, really.”

The former Coleraine, St Mirren and Morecambe player penned a new two-year contract for his club in July last year and has fought his way from fringe player to first-team mainstay in McInnes’ side.

Lyons helped Killie to wins over Dundee United and Ross County in the last two games of the 2022/23 season, including scoring against the Staggies on the final day to secure Kilmarnock’s cinch Premiership status.

When asked whether he has noted a change in Lyons since last season, McInnes said: “I think maybe on the pitch the way he carries himself with that bit more authority.

“But I think that is just the confidence of playing and maybe getting my approval. I think every player reacts to a manager showing that importance in them and, obviously, for a few reasons, Brad hadn’t played as often when I first came in.

“A couple of those were niggling little injuries he picked up when I first came in, but when we really needed experience and know-how and responsibility in that run-in last season through the last nine or 10 games when we had to win at least half of those fixtures to stay in the league, Brad was a big part of that.

“I think he is a boy who gets everyone’s respect. Obviously, he has captained the team and that is part of the reason.

“But, in terms of his voice, he has always been pretty animated and pretty vocal. He really doesn’t shut up! You always hear him in the dressing room!

“He is always talking and in amongst things and always in and around his teammates. He’s a good type and we all speak about players with ability, but managers are always drawn to those good types and that is exactly what he is.”