shannon2007

Thanks Danny

shannon2007

In the summer of 2006, Kilmarnock were looking for a new boss. Many names were thrown into the hat, some of them – such as Alex McLeish – were just plain stupid, whilst the mention of Ally McCoist on the basis that he was a former Killie player was probably just something the press made up to sell a few more copies of their disgusting rags they flaunted as newspapers. No-one though seemed to have given much though to record-holding Scotland international Duncan MacLeod.

MacLeod, who had become more and more involved in the coaching side of things at the end of his playing time at Motherwell, was at this point the man in charge of the Motherwell youth side. He had been on quite a few UEFA coaching courses over the years, and it was there he met the man who would turn out to be his assistant at Kilmarnock, a player who was a worthy adversary during Duncan's spell in Madrid, Julen Guerrero. That the press did not pick up on MacLeod's being in the running for this job was rather surprising, given that MacLeod still lived in Kilmarnock and having such connections with the club would surely be ideal for the job. It seemed though, that as this was not the Old Firm, there was no real point in trying to go too deeply into this story, that wasn't really a story anyway. After all, it was only Kilmarnock.

Coaching the youth side at Motherwell had been an enjoyable experience, a chance to develop players who might one day go on and play for their country – although in reality few, if in fact none, of that crop of Motherwell players were really all that good. Yet when Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnson phoned Duncan to ask if he would be interested in the managers job – MacLeod had not applied, it was not something he had really given much thought to – it had not taken the former Kilmarnock striker too long before accepting, and suddenly the press seemed to remember that the countries most successful player was still alive and well – although probably baffled that he was not managing either of the Old Firm.

In Kilmarnock, they had not forgotten about Duncan MacLeod, even though it was a hell of a long time since that 21 year old lad had left to seek his fortunes elsewhere. Nevertheless there were mixed reactions to the appointment of a man who, in managerial terms at least, was still very much a rookie. There is a huge difference managing a youth side, and a side who expect some sort of domestic success – even if that success is only in the form of not being relegated. The announcement though, whilst trimmed with trepidation, could not help but inspire wonder in the majority of the support, and with former Spanish international midfielder Julen Guerrero announced as Assistant it was a certainly a managerial team that, on the park at least, had had plenty of talent and an abundance of coaching potential.

If the Kilmarnock fans were doubtful about the managerial credentials of their new bosses, they were flabergasted when virtually the first thing they did was flog Steven Naismith to Rangers. The fee though, reported to be around three and half million pounds, more than made up for the loss of the clubs current best player. When other established players were also moved on – David Lilley, Alan Combe, Gary Wales, Danny Invincible and a whole host of others – the support didn't know whether to laugh at the man's audacity, or cry at what might seem a total loss of wits. Coming in the way were Old Firm Charlies, Grant and Adam, whilst striker Peter MacDonald came in from St Johnstone. Motherwell's Graeme Smith signed up to be the first choice keeper, St Mirren duo David van Zanten and Stewart Kean came in, and a few other players – none of whom were considered particularly outstanding. One player who did bring a bit of excitement to the Kilmarnock support though was Nacho Novo, unwanted at Ibrox and more than happy to join the Killie revolution.

MacLeod's first match as Kilmarnock boss took place in the unlikely surroundings of Andorra La Vella, in front of just over 1200 people. This was hardly the most glamorous match he would ever have as a manager, but it would if nothing else ease in the new players and build a bit of confidence. Six minutes into the match, the Kilmarnock support must have been thinking their new manager had lost his marbles. Opponents Santa Coloma were two nil up, and in danger of running riot. It might only be a friendly, but to lose badly to a side from Andorra was not exactly part of the script. Second half goals from Kean and MacDonald though saw Killie salvage a draw, but this was hardy a match to inspire the Kilmarnock fans to embrace the new regime with open arms.

BarryLFC

Kean would never sign for Killie

shannon2007

He would if they gave him enough money :p

BarryLFC

True.

shannon2007

The fears of the Kilmarnock support though were soon to be put to rest as the side started the season with a nineteen match unbeaten run, which saw them into the Semi Finals of the CIS League Cup and challenging at the top of the SPL table. The highlight of the run had been two victories over Celtic, which merely underlined that MacLeod had his team on the right track. At Celtic Park, Nacho Novo sent Peter MacDonald clear on goal with only seconds left on the clock, and at Rugby Park it was MacDonald who set Novo up for the winner in injury time, both matches being won by two goals to one. The other half of the Old Firm proved a slighty tougher affair, although only one meeting had taken place with Rangers. A no score draw at Rugby Park was not a disaster, but many pundits felt MacLeod's side should have won.

Although the length of such an unbeaten run was reaching epic proportions, especially for a team outwith the Glasgow Two, the mere number did not tell the whole story. There were some moments of absolute genious from the fledgling Kilmarnock side. In the League Cup, Raith Rovers had been blown away by an incredible eleven goals to nil, Peter MacDonald banging in an incredible SEVEN of those goals. Falkirk also found themselves on the end of MacDonald whupping as he sent the ball past their hapless keeper four times in a 7-0 league win at Rugby Park. Perhaps the best performance of that spell though was a four one ripping apart of a Hearts side who would go on to challenge for the title almost to the bitter death of the season. Ironically, it was that very same Hearts side who ended MacLeod's unbeaten managerial record with a 1-0 win at Tynecastle on the 12th of December.

Yet it was not all plain sailing. Three one up away to St Mirren, the side conspired to gain a draw, and at Inverness the home side proved stubborn and refused to give up in another three all draw. Indeed, by the end of the league season Kilmarnock would have drawn twelve matches, more than any other side in the SPL that season. MacLeod though had been diplomatic about the capitulation that occurred in some matches.

'We have a new side' he told the media after they presumed that he must surely be disappointed at surrendering a two goal lead to a pretty ordinary side like St Mirren, 'It takes time for new players to settle and we will not always see the best. Mistakes happen.'

Although positive to the media, in the dressing room it was often a different matter. Peter MacDonald went on to become one of the longest serving players under MacLeod.

'He was a perfectionist' MacDonald insisted, 'Absolutely no time for anyone who did not give of his best. The gaffer did not expect us to win every single match we played, but he did expect us to give of our best whether the opposition be East Fife or AC Milan. More than once he exploded in the dressing room, even when we had won. He had a reputation at times as a tyrant - particularly some of the foreign players who could not understand the physical aspect of the Scots game were highly scathing once they had left. But underneath he was a man you knew you could trust, a man with a great tactical mind.'

MacDonald had every reason to be pleased with MacLeod, a few other players perhaps had less reason. The former Rangers youth had been plugging along at First Division St Johnstone when MacLeod snapped him up. He was seen by both media and fans alike as a stop gap, someone who would only play when no-one else was available or who would be replaced when others of higher quality arrived. The truth was, Peter MacDonald was not a great football player by any stretch of the imagination. But he did the one thing his 'gaffer' asked him to – he scored goals and MacDonald was still around Rugby Park after far bigger names had been shown the door.

shannon2007

The 2006-2007 SPL title race was developing into one of the most intense and exciting of all time. That was hardly an exaggeration, as Hearts & Kilmarnock battled it out toe to toe with the Old Firm. At Ibrox, Rangers and Kilmarnock served up one of the most remarkable games ever seen in topflight football in Scotland as the home side eventually ran out winners by six goals to five. Rangers were the side trailing in fourth place come the start of 2007, but the gap was only a few points and it was anyone's title at this stage. Incredibly though, despite clearly having a chance at the title, midway through January Rangers departed company with legendary manager Walter Smith. It was a decision that was greeted with much derision both in the media and amongst the Rangers support. Just a couple of days later, MacLeod's former international striking partner, one Alistair McCoist was announced as the new manager at Ibrox.

Despite that defeat at Ibrox and a subsequent 2-0 reversal at Celtic Park, Kilmarnock were very much right in the pack as the new year progressed, and they were also in with a chance of some silverware as Aberdeen were pushed aside by a Peter MacDonald goal to reach the Final of the CIS League Cup against Celtic. That match would not be till March, and Kilmarnock went into the final on the back of an unbeaten nine match run in League and Cup. Indeed, the last defeat had been that League match at Celtic Park. You had to go back to 1997 for Kilmarnock's last trophy success, and going into their second successive League Cup Final, they were given every chance to win against their fellow title challengers.

Kilmarnock had also been given a boost, not just by their two league wins, but also in they fact that they had drawn Celtic in the Scottish Cup 4th round just a few weeks before this Final – and gubbed them 3-0. The players then knew, this was a match they most certainly could win.

The sides lined up at Hampden, with two league matches to go before the 'split' and the in many ways this Final was simply an irrelevance in the face of what was ahead. For MacLeod and his Kilmarnock side in particular though, the relevance was quite simply to find some silverware and boost confidence for the title run in. The press were expecting a Celtic win – the Old Firm rarely lose Finals – but it was not about to happen. Stewart Kean opened the scoring after just eleven minutes, before Peter MacDonald added a second half brace and although Celtic did get a late consolation there was nothing they could do to stop Duncan MacLeod winning his first trophy as a manager. It would not be his last, by a long way.

Talk of a Celtic treble, which had been swept away with that Scottish Cup win, was unexpectedly changed to talk of a Kilmarnock treble, after Rangers were overcome 3-2 in a Scottish Cup Semi Final replay, after a goalless draw. At the 'split', Celtic were top of the SPL with 71 points, Hearts lay second on 69 and Rangers were tied on 68 points with Kilmarnock. The other two sides in the top six, namely Hibs and Aberdeen were so far back it didn't matter, but they would still hope to have some say on the destination of the title. Although in the end, they actually didn't.

MacLeod was livid when the fixture list for the post split matches was revealed, and Kilmarnock had been given their final three matches all away from home. The balance though was that they did have two out of the three challengers at Rugby Park, but MacLeod was not at all happy nevertheless, feeling that there was no need to play three successive away games at such a crucial stage. Indeed, of the four challenging sides, only Celtic had the balance of fixtures in their home favour, but in such an odd system that sort of thing is bound to happen. And whatever criticism can be levelled at such a seemingly ludicrous way of doing things, for this particular season at least the last five matches were to unleash an unbearably tense but highly exciting finale to the Scottish football season.

shannon2007

The first head to head of the final five saw Hearts come to Rugby Park, whilst Celtic travelled in the opposite direction to take on Hibs and Rangers hosted Aberdeen. On an afternoon where tension was running high, something would have to give but both halves of the Old Firm managed to hold theirs and record vital wins. They, of course, had been here before but at Rugby Park the two sides battling it out were general strangers in recent times to title run-ins. Peter MacDonald, who would rather surprisingly end up as top scorer in the SPL, sent Kilmarnock on their way after just four minutes but any thoughts that Hearts were about to blow up were swept away when the Tynecastle side levelled just eight minutes later. Peter MacDonald was on hand though to restore the lead just a few minutes later, and on the half hour Charlie Adam secured all three points for Killie and it was Hearts who were the losers this week.

Celtic had moved three points clear at the top thanks to that Hearts defeat, and the Jam Tarts themselves had dropped five points off the lead with four matches left to play. In midweek, Kilmarnock hosted Rangers at Rugby Park in a match that had been brought forward a week and a half. This was Killie's last home match of the season, and the support were hoping for a glorious send off. Peter MacDonald was becoming an iconic figure in the team and after twenty one minutes it was he who sent MacLeod's side into the lead. Nine minutes later though Rangers were level, and it was, ironically enough, Steven Naismith who had gotten that oh so vital goal. A draw would probably suit Celtic more, but twelve minutes from time MacDonald struck again, Rangers were now playing catch up and Killie moved joint top of the SPL and the tension increased to almost breaking point.

A huge weekend of SPL football ensued. Rangers would travel to Tynecastle and virtually kill off Hearts title challenge with a 2-1 win, whilst at Celtic Park the hosts could surely put one hand at least on the title with a win. Only two minutes had passed when Celtic took the lead and their fans sat back to join the party. On 38 minutes the Dutch guy with the long name made it 2-0 and Celtic were cruising. As the Celtic Park choir burst into renditions of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', so minute Spaniard Nacho Novo broke free of the Celtic defence from the restart and Kilmarnock had a life line. The match was ebbing and flowing, but there was a sense that the boys in blue still believed, and seventeen minutes from time Charlie Adam was the hero again and in the end the points were shared. Celtic remained top of the SPL by three goals, and of course a game in hand. Rangers were a point back of the leading two, but had a slightly better goal difference. There was still everything to win, and everything to lose.

As Kilmarnock headed north to Aberdeen for a Scottish Cup Final dress rehearsal, so Celtic were off to Edinburgh once again, this time to face a Hearts side whose title hopes were now virtually gone - but still had that enticing prospect of a 2nd place, and Champions League football. Hibs went the opposite way down the M8 to lose 1-0 at Ibrox, whilst a Callum Elliot goal eight minutes from time sent Celtic home to think again and made a severe dent in that clubs own title aspirations. Pittodrie would not be an easy place to go, even if Aberdeen were playing for not a whole lot, they had to keep things ticking over for that date at Hampden. Paul Di Giacomo sent Killie into a precious lead six minutes from half time, and with seventeen minutes left Aberdeen were reduced to 10 men. Five minutes later though northern lights were shining as the men in red levelled the match. With time running out, it looked like a point would be the order of the say for Killie – and the fans didn't know whether to laugh or cry. With mere seconds on the clock though, Novo sent MacDonald through on goalm, the ball soared past Jamie Langfield to send Kilmarnock a point clear of Rangers at the top of the SPL. It would be a wonder if anyone's nerves held out in the last two weeks of a quite incredible season.

shannon2007

Kilmarnock and Rangers were on the sidelines for the penultimate round of SPL matches, and there was nothing they could do but watch and pray. Hearts had a tough Edinburgh derby at Easter Road, although it was highly unlikely they could now snatch 2nd place anyway, and Celtic were at home to Cup Finalists Aberdeen. A Lewis Stevenson own goal gave Hearts all three points, but any chance they had of second place was extinguished as Celtic won 1-0 at the Pittodrie to move two goals clear of Kilmarnock at the top of the SPL. Hearts had done well, and contributed a lot to an exciting title run in, but in the end they had just missed out and would end up without even a place in Europe as consolation, having turned down the chance to play in the InterToto Cup.

And so we came to the Finale of the Scottish Premier League season, and all eyes were on Celtic Park as the Old Firm squared up for a title showdown. Kilmarnock travelled over to Edinburgh, and things hung pretty much in the balance. Even if they lost at Easter Road, Killie could still claim the title if Rangers triumphed at the home of their greatest foe's, yet victory would be pointless if Celtic also won – unless of course the Kilmarnock triumph was by three goals more. The media spent days contemplating the various arithmetical outcomes but once the players took to the parks, the speculation ended and it was down to whose nerve would hold on the day. Kilmarnock, upon whom there was probably the least pressure, started brightly at Easter Road and after eighteen minutes Paul Di Giacomo gave them that vital lead, which they would take into the interval. Over at Celtic Park, the teams headed in goalless after forty five minutes, and if things stood as they were it would Kilmarnock who were Champions, and all the exposure given to the 'most important Old Firm clash of all time' would be but meaningless drivel – which is basically what it was anyway.

On 62 minutes Kilmarnock won a penalty at Easter Road, which Nacho Novo slotted home and barring disaster MacLeod's side had done their bit at least. It all seemed to be in vain though, three minutes earlier Kenny Miller had sent Celtic ahead against his former club and the Championship party started in earnest amongst the hoops support. Only five minutes later though, those celebrations were a little muted as Milovan Mirosevic brought Rangers level, and twelve minutes from time the much maligned Filip Sebo sent Rangers into a stunning lead. A win though could not now claim the title for the Ibrox club, as Kilmarnock coasted in the end to their two nil win, but it would settle them in second place – and that vital Champions League possibility. As the match ended at Easter Road, so at Celtic Park they played four minutes into injury time. The Kilmarnock support dared not hope yet, and with the referee's whistle to his lips, Jiri Jarosik rekindled Celtic hopes. It was in the end, too little too late, and as the referee brought the match in Glasgow to an end, so over in Edinburgh Kilmarnock had ended a forty one year wait for the title. Duncan MacLeod had come to Rugby Park, and achieved the impossible.

Scottish football was stunned. You had to go back twenty two years to discover the last time a side out of the big Glasgow duo had won the league. Things like this were not supposed to happen. Six days after securing one of the most nail-biting, amazing titles ever, Kilmarnock showed up at the home of Scottish Football, only needing to beat a relatively poor Aberdeen side to claim the domestic treble and put Duncan MacLeod's name even more firmly into the record books. In truth though, this was to turn into a poor match and as Aberdeen took the lead on 25 minutes, so it looked like a game too far for MacLeod's heroes. It was hard to be annoyed with a side that had achieved so much, so soon, as MacLeod explained,

'It was a tough dressing room at half time. The players had given their all to lift a remarkable title, but that day they looked spent. I couldn't really accuse any of them, and simply told them to go back out and give it one last effort'

The words of the manager seemed to have an affect, as Peter MacDonald snatched a 64th minute equalizer, but Aberdeen held firm and the match went into extra time. On another day, MacLeod's side would have easily beaten such a poor team, but this was a match in which their legs just ran out and as extra time came and went without a goal so the 2007 Scottish FA Challenge Cup Final would be decided by the dreaded penalty shoot out. As Kilmarnock scored their first three penalties, so Aberdeen missed two of theirs. Nacho Novo stepped up to the plate, if he scored the Cup was Killie's – but he blasted the ball over the bar. Derek Young finally scored for Aberdeen and it fell to January signing Simon Lynch, who had replaced Di Giacomo after an hour, to score the winner – dramatically the former Celtic player also missed and the show went on. Aberdeen's Michael Hart had to score to keep his side in the Cup, but his effort thudded off the bar and Duncan MacLeod had become the first manager outside the Old Firm to lead his side to the domestic treble.

It had been an incredible season. No-one in their right mind had expected either Hearts or Kilmarnock to push the Old Firm as they had done, and no-one certainly expected Kilmarnock to scoop all three prizes. Duncan MacLeod had achieved the impossible, and even if he had won nothing else in his managerial career, he would have still gone down in history. The future though would hold much more triumph – and heartbreak – for the man with midas touch.

BarryLFC

Drifted into the realms of fantasy now, I'm afraid. There'll be hobbits next.