When Kyle Vassell was growing up, he used to be dazzled by the superstars of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea as they battled on the European stage.
Now, it is his turn to step into that spotlight, and hopefully inspire a generation of young Kilmarnock supporters, just as the likes of Didier Drogba used to inspire him.
The Killie captain is raring to go ahead of the sell-out Europa League second qualifying round first leg tie against Cercle Brugge tonight, and he has been revelling in the buzz around the Ayrshire town all week as the fans ready themselves for a huge occasion at Rugby Park.
He is determined to ensure that a few things happen. That Derek McInnes’s men do themselves justice, and end the night with more than a fighting chance of progression from the tie ahead of the return leg next week in Belgium. That this sort of evening becomes a more regular fixture for the club. And, just as importantly, that they leave a mark on the next generation of Killie kids.
“When I was a kid, I managed to go to a few Chelsea games in the Champions League, I’m a Chelsea fan,” Vassell said.
“My first couple of games would have been Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben, Damien Duff and then all through Jose Mourinho’s era. Incredible. It was special.
“I used to watch Champions League games with my friend, tell his mum he was coming to my house, and we would just go out and play football until the lights went out trying to re-enact what we’d seen. Just go runs with the football.
“We were 13, 14, 15 and he is desperate to come to every game wherever we go to watch because it is special.
“When I’d watch the other games on TV, I’d then go out and play under the subway until 11 or 12 at night.
“That is literally what this is. Paving the way for people to come after us.
“To make it normal for the club is hard because it is such a competitive league and I have said that, but make it more regular and give them something to really cheer about.
“We have sold out, first time since winning the Championship, but people have been saying it’s not been sold out for a long time before that.
“So, get them here as much as possible because the atmosphere is going to be superb, and I can’t wait to get playing.”
The friend Vassell references, Sonny, is still his mate to this day, and he will be one of the 2500-strong travelling Kilmarnock army that are set to invade Brugge next week.
“I’ve been trying to put him off because it is so much money and so expensive,” he said.
“But he’s not having a word of it. He is coming, whatever.
“I think he is more excited than I am, genuinely. He was a great player, played for Tottenham all the way through and then had a couple of injuries and fell out of the game, but he was an incredible player. Better than me when we were younger.”
Vassell wants to make sure then that not only do the travelling hordes have something to hang onto from tonight when they set off next week, but that it fulfils its potential to be the proudest evening of his career.
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“Being captain in a Europa League tie would be massive for me,” he said.
“And I feel I have worked so hard to get myself in as good a shape as possible to give the team the best chance possible and I can’t wait.
“Let’s get into it. If we get into the group stages, then 100 per cent [it would be my proudest moment].
“Just going into these rounds, not doing much and we’re happy to take part...no. I really want to get something in this competition.
“That’s our aim. I get it. It’s an achievement finishing fourth in the league and being in the Europa League, but let’s kick on. We are more than good enough to do it.
“Teams have to come here which is the beauty, so it’s not just one tie. It is going to be hard for anyone who comes here if we are at our best, so we just need to be at our best.”
Vassell certainly feels at his best after undergoing an operation on a long-term groin problem during the summer.
“I genuinely feel brand new,” he said.
“I feel like I’m 20 again! With a little bit more experience with a bit more knowledge.
“But, no, I feel really, really good. The fitness is coming. It’s been a good pre-season and an enjoyable pre-season because we have had this to look forward to, but I’m in a good place.”
