If ever a aim summed up David Watson’s starvation to succeed, it was his opener in opposition to St Mirren at Rugby Park on Saturday.
The Kilmarnock midfielder bust a intestine to be first into the guests’ field in order that, when Bruce Anderson’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper, he may pounce on the free ball.
Watson’s third aim of the season, his second in 4 video games, put Kilmarnock on their strategy to a second consecutive victory and underlined his burgeoning status.
Make no mistake: Watson is certainly one of Scotland’s greatest younger gamers. He has high quality, power and, maybe most significantly, the type of angle and managed aggression that supporters love. All in all, it’s an thrilling bundle.
Nonetheless solely 20, he has a giant future forward of him, one wherein he has the prospect to turn out to be a Scotland common. Don’t be stunned if he’s in there with Lennon Miller and Ben Gannon Doak someday.
The query proper now could be how lengthy he’ll stay with Kilmarnock and whether or not they are going to be suitably rewarded for creating a participant who first skilled with them on the age of seven.
David Watson is within the closing 12 months of his contract and will probably be free to speak to different golf equipment in January
Watson pounced on a free ball to provide Kilmarnock the lead in opposition to St Mirren on Saturday
Stuart Kettlewell has guided Kilmarnock to 3rd within the Premiership with back-to-back victories
That is the ultimate 12 months of his contract, which implies he’s free to speak to potential suitors in January. There will probably be loads of them, particularly if he’s quickly to turn out to be a free agent.
Whereas the English Championship could be an apparent vacation spot, it has been advised that Hearts, managed by former Killie boss Derek McInnes, may fancy their possibilities.
The irony is that McInnes used Watson solely sparingly final season. His reluctance to start out him in a Kilmarnock group that was going stale annoyed many supporters.
Against this, Stuart Kettlewell, who succeeded McInnes in the summertime, has been praised for giving younger gamers an opportunity. Watson is the fulcrum of his facet, 18-year-old Ben Brennan is being allowed to flourish and there are excessive hopes additionally for Ethan Brown, the 20-year-old who made his debut in August.
Collectively, they’ve freshened up the Ayrshire facet and supplied a raise that has taken all of them the way in which to 3rd within the Premiership. In 13 matches this season, they’ve misplaced solely as soon as in regular time – and that was due to Celtic’s controversial late penalty.
Kettlewell’s appointment didn’t go down particularly nicely, however he’s successful around the critics. If he can persuade Watson to signal a brand new contract, it is going to be one other feather within the supervisor’s cap.
It wouldn’t preserve Watson at Rugby Park in the long run, however it could make sure that, when he does depart, he earns the membership a good switch payment. Till then, the message to supporters is obvious: get pleasure from him when you can.
