Whatever happened to Alexei Eremenko as Kilmarnock magic man survives terrifying brush with deadly virus

What makes a football cult hero?

Every fan has worshipped one while following their team but they weren’t necessarily the best player in the team.

And neither were they a club legend - the type of loyal servants who end up with statues outside the ground.

But a cult hero requires several ingredients that separate them from other players and above else they win a place in the hearts of the supporters.

The fact they are often not the star of the team is one thing that earns them cult hero status but their commitment makes up for any lack of quality.

There is usually one weakness that stands out and there is a ‘What could have been?’ without those flaws.

Then again, if it wasn’t for that weakness - or weaknesses - then there’s every chance they wouldn’t have been at your club!

Arriving from foreign shores, but adapting to local culture, is usually another factor in cult heroes which adds to that magic and mystery and cements the special bond with the fans.

As part of our series on Scottish football cult heroes, Record Sport looks back on what made Alexei Eremenko so popular during his two stints at Kilmarnock and what he's been up to since.

Eremenko had two spells in Scotland, plus a little known trial with Celtic in 2006.

But it was fellow Finn Mixu Paatelainen who signed him up for a first deal in Scottish football, bringing him to Kilmarnock on-loan from Ukrainian club FC Metalist Kharkiv.

He returned to his parent club at the end of that season but four years later he was back at Rugby Park for another stint.

Paateleinen had built an attacking side around him.

The Finnish playmaker was one of the league's stand-out players in 2010 as Kilmarnock defied expectations to finish in the top half of the Scottish