Killie chief calls end to business

24 July 2009 16:28
Jefferies has signed former Middlesbrough winger Graeme Owens and completed the protracted transfer of New Zealand defender Steven Old in the close season. But more players have left Rugby Park with the likes of Grant Murray, David Lilley, Willie Gibson and Allan Johnston all moving on. Johnston insists a decision to cut the squad size was taken before the financial collapse of the Scottish Premier League's broadcasting partner Setanta and he revealed Jefferies will not be doing any more business before the season starts. "We had finalised our squad before the Setanta problem emerged," Johnston said. "We're not planning any changes in the squad as a result of the television deal that has now been agreed with Sky and ESPN. "We had decided long before the start of the season we would reduce the squad size to around 24 first-team players. "Last season we started with 34 first-team players which everybody agreed was too many. "We had to put young players out on loan and other players didn't really get a game all season. "It was always planned to bring the squad down and that's what we have done. "We're not planning to sell any players and equally we're not planning to bring anyone in."

Source: Team_Talk