Kilmarnock star Brad Lyons feels 'really guilty' over Stuart Kettlewell’s sacking

Kilmarnock star Brad Lyons has admitted that Stuart Kettlewell dismissal from Rugby Park left him “feeling really guilty”.

Kettlewell was sacked after a poor run of results for the Ayrshire side that leaves them second bottom of the Premiership after 17 games.

They are just three poits ahead of 12th placed Livingston, with David Martindale’s side also having a game in hand.

Kris Doolan has been handed the reins on an interim basis and will take the team for Saturday’s game against Falkirk.

Speaking ahead of the game, Lyons said: “It’s always a weird one, unfortunately.

“I’ve experienced this feeling before at a club. It’s probably guilt, that is probably the biggest feeling.

“At the end of the day, us players are the ones that go out on a pitch, we are the ones that are putting in those performances and getting those results and unfortunately it always falls on the gaffer and his coaching staff.

“We are guilty, we do feel sorry, especially the gaffer losing his job so close to Christmas. But we need to sort of put that in the past, as bad as that sounds and go again this Saturday for a new gaffer.

“I think he (Kettlewell) spoke to a few injured players when he was in. I had a phone call with him on Monday night and it was a good phone call.

“Me and the gaffer got on really well and he got on with the players really well, and we just wanted to say sorry to him.

“I reached out to him first because, as a captain of the club, I did feel really guilty and because it’s mine and the players’ fault for him getting the sack.”

The 28-year-old midfielder believes Killie only have themselves to blame for their poor form.

He said: “You need a wee bit better luck to get results but we’re not shying behind decisions.

“We are not shying behind bad luck, our performances have to be a lot better as a whole.

“We’re playing good one half and not so good the other half, so we need to put a full team performance in for the full match and that should get us a result.”