Criticism as captain, lack of goals, losing weight & more - Kyle Vassell exclusive

The Kilmarnock captain kindly gave up half-an-hour to chat to the Killie Chronicle about a variety of topics.

Oct 12, 2024

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“It was all muscle, it wasn’t fat,” Kyle Vassell eagerly stressed when given the opportunity to discuss his summer of shredding, when I tentatively raised the subject of his physique.

It had been mooted by both Derek McInnes and others close to the Kilmarnock striker that he’d lost weight during the summer in a bid to cause even greater headaches for defenders with quicker and sharper movement.

Stunned by the sheer physicality of Scottish football upon his arrival in January 2023, the 31-year-old bulked up to cope. The Killie skipper is adamant that it led to several of his impressive performances last season.

During the off-season a few months ago, as well as undergoing a successful operation to solve a long-standing groin issue, which continually hampered his training schedule, Vassell decided to lose some pounds.

In order to tap into aspects of his game he hadn’t been able to utilise for a while, the Englishman insists it was a must for his personal happiness.

“When I first arrived in Scotland, for the first few months, I couldn’t believe how physical the league was,” he explained. “So, I put weight on to try and deal with defenders.

“It wasn’t fat weight though, it was all muscle. I had to get stronger to be more physical.

“It worked because that’s essentially why I played so well last season, but I felt in myself, that when I was trying to get away from defenders, I couldn’t.

“I realised that I need to be more the player I am which is showing my dynamism and running in-behind. I needed to be back at a weight where I felt more comfortable.

“I lost a couple of kilos in the summer, and everyone commented on how sharp I looked and it showed that what I felt was correct.

“I put a bit too much muscle on, I was a bit too heavy – which is great – but at the same time, in this league, the referees don’t always give you the decisions they should.”

With newer models, typically teething issues usually follow.

Vassell has 18 goals to his name for Ayrshire’s top side. He’s also provided eight assists for his teammates. To summarise, he’s unquestionably been one of the best bits of recruitment under Derek McInnes, and more generally speaking, in the last decade.

Only one of those strikes has come this season, in the home European tie against Tromso in early August. Productivity between the posts has been something of a struggle so far this campaign for the big man.

“Confidence is not 'they will like me'. Confidence instead is 'I'll be fine if they don't.’” A quick Google search about the meaning of that word brought me to this quote. Vassell certainly exudes levels of self-assurance to this degree.

He’s not worried about one goal in 14 games this season. In fact, he’s bullish in his mental fortitude that he has all the components to start notching sooner rather than later. Aside from putting the ball in the net, his form has been good, he pointedly reminded me.

“I feel like I’ve been playing well, but I could’ve scored a couple more,” he admitted. “There are no excuses – I should’ve scored against Hibs. There was one against Dundee United with a header too, so I was a bit frustrated with that one.

“I just need to keep doing what I’m doing. The goals will come, I’m not worried about it at all. I’m in the right place.

“Sometimes, with the way that we play, you never know when the chances are going to come your way, but you’ve always got to be on your toes. I’m getting chances, so I’m not bothered as long as we’re not struggling and I’m not costing the team.

“Davey [Watson] comes on against Dundee United and turns the game around for us. The goals will come – I’ll score goals.

“I’m not getting my rewards at the minute, but outside of the box, I’m playing well.

“I’m really happy, to be honest. I’m in a good place. I’m getting chances – some have been on a plate for me and I should do better and others I’m creating for myself.

“As long as we’re all going in the right direction, then I’m happy. I’m not worried, I know I’ll score goals like I always have.

“Sometimes it’s just how it goes. I had a spell like this last season too. I’m not going to overthink anything, I’m not going to get frustrated. The worst thing you could do is beat yourself up.

“These boys coming in and picking up the mantle when they get their chance is excellent. It’s good for everyone and they deserve it. It’ll only push on me and Marley [Watkins].

“I’ve never been a striker to go score 30 goals a season, but what I bring in terms of physicality, putting myself about, winning flick-ons and holding the ball up, for me, is also important. I’ve always prided myself in that and it’s something I enjoy doing.

“All of that work allows Marley to run off and score. It’s the way we play as a team.

“Every Sunday I’ve got a dead leg, or a sore back and I’ve got a lump on my head after being elbowed after taking constant hits from defenders. It’s just as important. I know I’m doing all of this side of the game well.

“It’s a bit like my first six months at the club. I didn’t score many goals, but I was playing really well and the fans took to me even though we were fighting relegation. Everyone was happy with how I played.

“It feels a bit like that now. I’m not getting those rewards or getting the plaudits, but I’m doing the hard work.”

So, Vass isn’t bothered about his lack of goalscoring form, assured in the knowledge that he’s seen this film before.

However, if you were to ask what most of the fans thought as things stand, they’d likely disagree.

He’s come in for some fair, but also unfair criticism during his time at Rugby Park, particularly in the last 10 weeks. The general feeling seems to be that the No.9 could do with some time on the bench in favour of Bruce Anderson, Bobby Wales, or even a formation change to play Watkins as a lone striker.

Asked if being the captain has changed the way he’s perceived or judged by supporters, he stalled to carefully ponder his response.

“When things are going badly, then I suppose things come down more on my shoulders because I’m the leader on the pitch,” he said. “I would argue rightly so, though.

“If things aren’t going very well on the pitch, then there should be more responsibility on my shoulders and I should be the one who takes the brunt of their criticism.

“If the team isn’t giving everything or looks like they’re not, then that should fall on me and there should be more pressure on me. Being captain is a high-pressure role. I’m the leader, the one who provides an example to the boys and drives standards on a daily basis.

“When we win and boys play well, they’ll go do all of the interviews. If we lose, then the interviews will normally fall on me. That’s the nature of the beast.

“Hopefully, I was picked because I can handle that. I can handle negativity. I would like to say that it doesn’t really bother me but that’s just because I’ve got thick skin.

“One week, people will love you, the next they hate you and the next they love you again, it’s football. Performances totally dictate that. If you’re playing well, then the rest will take care of itself.

“I guess it does, to be honest, for good and for bad,” he added in direction response to my question.

“It’s not like we’re playing poorly and getting battered - I don’t feel like we’re in a bad place. It was a matter of time when we were going to get our just rewards. That was Saturday, and I’m sure we’ll kick on now.

“Look at last season, we went through a bit of an up and down start to the season and then towards Christmas we locked on. We lost only to Rangers and Celtic in the league after that point, so that was essentially what got us into Europe.

“It’s early doors. The travelling side of Europe was really what I couldn’t believe was going to be so hard. That’s done now, so we have no excuses and can fully concentrate on the league.”

Here’s hoping a more dynamic approach to his movement can see result in more goals like this!

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