Kyle Vassell free to be Kilmarnock agent of chaos as Derek McInnes reveals striker has 'attacked' pre-season

Derek McInnes reckons old-school Kyle Vassell now has the freedom to cause more mayhem.

The Kilmarnock captain fought brilliantly last term against the discomfort of a groin issue. But having had summer surgery, Vassell is free and flying ahead of the new campaign. McInnes is delighted with his skipper’s situation and said: “Vass is only 31 but we have asked a lot of him in his time with us. He’s come back pre-season and he just looks free, training more naturally and at ease. He has attacked the work.

"He had a bit of a thigh thing after the game in Marbella but we rested him for a couple of days. He didn’t play against TNS as a precaution but Vassell is a bit old-school in the sense there are players who rule themselves out of games on a Monday and you are thinking, ‘There’s still plenty of time’. Vassell always rules himself in, even when others might rule themselves out with what he’s had to deal with, so we’re hoping with the surgery he’s had he’ll be even better.”

McInnes has built a strong attacking unit with Vassell leading the charge. Last term’s top scorer Marley Watkins is back, having signed a two-year deal, and Bruce Anderson is in from Livingston. Innes Cameron and young gun Bobby Wales are also on the scene and McInnes likes what he sees. He said: “We’re hoping we can carry even more of a threat.

“We have real high hopes for Bobby. He had a terrific loan at Alloa and has shown up arguably as good as anybody in pre-season. It’s good having that kind of five. We have young Zander Craik who will go out on loan. So that’s five at the top end, plus good wide players who provide plenty of crosses.”

Wales is impressing the boss but McInnes won’t put pressure on the youngster by tagging him as the new big hope.