Kilmarnock finally sign goalkeeper four days before Hibs clash

Rugby Park side lost four ‘keepers over summer

Danny Rogers in action for Killie in a pre-season fixture

Kilmarnock have finally bolstered their goalkeeping options, just four days before the 2020/21 season opener against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday August 1.

Until lunchtime on Tuesday, the Rugby Park side had just one registered ‘keeper on their books: 20-year-old Curtis Lyle, who has played twice for Killie reserves and once for the club's Under-20 side.

However, free agent Danny Rogers has agreed a 12-month contract with Alex Dyer’s side.

The 26-year-old spent eight years with Aberdeen, playing three times for the Dons, and had loan spells at Airdrieonians, Dumbarton, Falkirk, St Mirren, and Morton before leaving Pittodrie last month.

The New York-born player will be a familiar face for some members of the Hibs squad, having been in goal for the Scottish Premiership play-off semi-final meeting between the Bairns and Alan Stubbs’ side in May 2016, tipping a vicious 30-yard effort from substitute Jason Cummings on to the bar just minutes before Bob McHugh’s injury-time winner.

Goalkeeping conundrum

Four shot-stoppers departed the Ayrshire club over the summer months, with last season’s No.1 Laurentiu Branescu returning to parent club Juventus, and back-up ‘keepers Jan Koprivec, Jamie MacDonald, and Devlin Mackay all leaving at the end of their contracts.

Killie had been linked with a second loan deal for Watford goalie Daniel Bachmann who impressed between the sticks during the 2018/19 season but the Vicarage Road side’s relegation from the English Premier League and manager Nigel Pearson’s departure just two games before the end of the season may have complicated matters.

Rogers is now likely to start against Hibs on Saturday after spending time training with the Kilmarnock squad and featuring in three pre-season matches.

He told the club’s website: “I’m delighted to join Killie and as soon as the opportunity came up, I knew it was where I wanted to be.

“It’s a big club with big ambitions and I’m delighted to be part of that.”