FORMER Rangers and Scotland winger Chris Burke called time in May on a playing career which spanned two decades by helping Kilmarnock to finish in pole position in the Championship, his first title success since he was part of Alex McLeish’s Rangers squad which pipped Celtic on Helicopter Sunday back in 2005.
The 37-year-old has subsequently moved into a coaching role with the Ayrshire club and is, if anything, more influential than ever at Rugby Park, as Danny Armstrong -his successor on the right flank – for Derek McInnes’ side revealed.
Armstrong admits that Burke must have considered him a nuisance during his playing days over the way he would bombard the veteran with queries designed to improve his understanding of his position and how to maximise his potential. That has continued into this season, with Burke volunteering to stay behind after training to help the 24-year-old improve his technique from dead-ball situations.
He perfected it on Wednesday when he curled home the opener in Kilmarnock’s 2-1 home win over St Johnstone with a free-kick from 25 yards which is, even at this early stage, a candidate for Goal of the Season.
“I practise them during the week and once I hit it, it felt familiar,” he said. “It was good to see that the practice worked. Kyle wanted to take it but I I told him it was mine: as soon as I won it, I said I was taking it.
“He didn’t even argue. It was on my side so he said he’d run up and pretend to hit it. I’m just glad it went in. I always work with Burkey on them. He’s happy to do it and he helps me so much with everything on and off the park: I’m just glad he’s there for me to learn from.
“When I heard he was coming back to the club this season I was delighted. I sat next to him in the changing room last year and I probably pestered him quite a bit. I get on brilliantly with him - he’s not just a great footballer but also a great person. “He loves to help others. He’s also calm: he came up to me after Wednesday’s game and said: ‘Hard work pays off’ and gave me a high-five and a cuddle. Burkey is with us every day. To be fair, he does a bit of everything and everyone loves having him around the place.””
