Mixu to leave Rugby Park

Mixu Paatelainen is attracting interest from Championship side Scunthorpe United after steering Killie to an almost certain top six finish.

The Killie boss is on the shortlist for the Scunthorpe job after steering Killie to the top six and on the verge of a possible European place while playing some of the best football in recent Killie history.

The big Finn took over in the summer after the Ayrshire side had flirted with relegation last season. Rather than the defensive approach under Jimmy Calderwood and Jim Jeffries before that he has put his side on the front foot.

There has also been interest from the Finnish International side who are looking for a new manager as well.

It’s amazing how Mixu’s stock has risen in the last few months, it is widely accepted he failed at Hibs and was out of the game as it appeared no one would touch him. His appointment at Rugby Park was seen as a bit of a gamble when he was appointed.

He has proved popular with the Killie fans who will be desperate for Rugby Park Chairman Michael Johnstone to pull out all the stops to hold on to him. He has already given permission for Scunthorpe to speak to the manager.

It may be more financially prudent for the Chairman to let the manager go and work on the negotiation for the settlement on the 15 months left on his contract.