Brad Lyons set for Kilmarnock return to boost Derek McInnes' Euro qualification hunt

Derek McInnes reckons respected Brad Lyons can chase more recognition beyond Rugby Park having completed the long road back to run out at it.

The midfielder is back in the Kilmarnock set-up for Saturday’s clash at home to Ross County after an agonising three months stuck on the sidelines. Lyons has not featured for McInnes since sustaining a knee injury against Dundee on the penultimate day of 2023, which forced him to get surgery. It was a devastating setback for a 26-year-old savouring a superb campaign, which saw him secure a senior debut for Northern Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying.

But Lyons has been back training and is now due for a comeback to the teamsheet as Killie look to build on their two-point cushion in fourth. McInnes is delighted and reckons, as well as boosting Killie, his key man can push for more international honours under Michael O’Neill too. He said: “Brad’s a great option for us to have and a great boy to have around.

“He’s trained well this week, he’s been very supportive of the team whenever he’s been out and just been a really good team-mate. He got his first cap for Northern Ireland not so long ago and hopefully that whets the appetite for him to get a few more.

“Michael is aware of all the options that he has. But Brad is someone who breaks the play up, he turns the ball over and he goes beyond strikers. He can play a few positions and his fitness is a huge attribute for him.

“He’s not unlike the boy Ali McCann, whom they took from St Johnstone, in terms of getting about his work, making contact with people and using the ball well and simply. There’s a place for someone like that and Brad certainly did himself no harm when he was away with Northern Ireland. Obviously Michael is aware of