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Daily Record
Daily Record
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Lochlin Highet

Where Kilmarnock League Cup winning heroes are now 10 years after historic victory

Who can believe it has been 10 years since Kilmarnock lifted the Scottish League Cup?

An incredible day at Hampden in which the Ayrshire side ended Celtic's treble aspirations with a fine 1-0 win.

Big, beautiful Belgian Dieter Van Tornhout stole the headlines on the day, but every player that graced the pitch is a hero in their own right.

We decided to see what the famous squad were up to 10 years on...

Cammy Bell

Cammy Bell celebrates them winning cup (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

The goalkeeper kept Killie in it with a fantastic performance during the full competition, but now he isn't involved in football apart from the odd punditry gig.

He was most recently a director of football at his hometown club Annan Athletic after playing with the likes of Falkirk and Queen's Park latterly.

He left Rugby Park to join Rangers before stints at Dundee United, Hibs, Partick Thistle and St Johnstone, and in between that he even returned for an underwhelming second spell at Killie.

Now he is the director of a property management company in his own time.

Garry Hay

Kilmarnock's Garry Hay lifts the Scottish Communities League Cup (Getty Images)

Hooky... a legend. It was brilliant to see him win a trophy during his time at Killie.

He hung up the boots a long time ago, but he's still involved in football. After leaving Killie he had a short spell at Airdrie, but he then bagged a job at Hampden.

He is now a player and coach development manager with the Scottish FA - but he still keeps an eye on Killie results!

Momo Sissoko

Momo Sissoko in action at Hampden (Daily Record)

Watching Momo Sissoko was an... ahem... interesting experience.

If Dudu didn't leave your heart in your mouth every time he went on one of his mazy runs, then you're not a Killie fan.

He almost gifted Celtic an opener in the final, but thankfully Bell was there to save the day.

Since leaving Killie he has plied his trade in the likes of Greece, Turkey, Romania, Israel and Finland. He is still playing with Cypriot side Ermis Aradippou.

He actually faced Aberdeen in 2019 playing for Finnish side RoPS in the Europa League, brandishing his famous No 88 shirt.

James Fowler

Kilmarnock captain James Fowler celebrates with the trophy at full-time (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

Fowler's whereabouts is slightly more well-known to Killie fans...

He is the head of football operations at Rugby Park after returning to the club following a spell as assistant manager at Sunderland under Jack Ross.

He joined Queen of the South as a player-coach after leaving Killie in 2014, and he turned his hand to management before linking up with Ross at St Mirren.

Liam Kelly

Celtic's Gary Hooper battles it out with Liam Kelly (right) (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

It was a tragically sad day for Liam Kelly as his dad sadly passed away after watching his son at Hampden.

He is currently Coventry City's captain after joining them in 2017 from Leyton Orient.

He has also had spells with Bristol City and Oldham Athletic since leaving Rugby Park.

Michael Nelson

Kilmarnock trio Garry Harkins (left), Manuel Pascali and Michael Nelson (right) are up for a laugh at the club's official team picture (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

The Admiral! Nelson has played with new fewer than seven clubs since leaving Killie, including a spell in Edinburgh at Hibs.

He was recently a player-manager at Blyth Spartans, replacing another ex-Killie link in Lee Clark.

He's now the assistant to Graeme Lee at Hartlepool United.

Gary Harkins

Kilmarnock midfielder Gary Harkins proudly shows off the Scottish Communities League Cup trophy (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

Harkins was the kind of player you loved to have, but hated to play.

He's played with a whopping 11 clubs since leaving Killie, including bitter rivals Ayr United and a spell in the West of Scotland League with Gartcairn.

He is now a player-coach with Forfar Athletic.

Paul Heffernan

Paul Heffernan gets to show the Kilmarnock fans the League Cup trophy (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

Heffernan was highly regarded at Killie, and he had many high moments at Rugby Park.

He didn't score in the final, but his hat-trick in a 5-0 hammering of Queen of the South earlier in the competition helped them on their way.

Since leaving the Ayrshire side he had spells with the likes of Hibs and Dundee before finishing his career with Dumbarton in 2016.

Danny Buijs

Danny Buijs with kids (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

One-season-wonder Buijs only managed a year at Rugby Park, and although he only managed 20 minutes in the final before being subbed off for Lee Johnson, he is still highly regarded with the Ayrshire faithful.

He moved back home to the Netherlands to see out his career with Sparta Rotterdam before joining Kozakken Boys.

He is now a manager with Eredivise side FC Groningen.

Dean Shiels

Kenny Shiels and son Dean (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

Shiels gave the Killie fans, and his dad Kenny, a special moment in the semi-final when he poked home the winner in extra-time against Ayr United.

He joined Cammy Bell in switching to Rangers after winning the cup, and he since had spells with Dunfermline and also played in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Canada.

He has followed in his dad's footsteps taking up management, he is in charge of Dungannon Swifts in the Northern Irish Premiership, and he actually bagged January's manager of the month award.

Lee Johnson

Lee Johnson of Kilmarnock celebrates after beating Celtic 1-0 in the Scottish Communities League Cup Final (Getty Images)

He famously swung in the cross to Van Tornhout, but now he's famous for being a manager.

After leaving Killie in 2013 he was appointed Oldham Athletic boss at just 31 - and he was actually contacted by the Gilbraltar national team to see if he wanted to play with them due to family connections, but he swiftly declined.

He then went on to manage Barnsley and Bristol City, who he famously guided to the English League Cup semis, defeating Jose Mourinho's Manchester United on the way.

Most recently he was Sunderland boss, but he was relieved of his duties at the end of January.

Dieter Van Tornhout

Van Tornhout celebrates (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

The man of the moment. What a day for the beautiful Belgian, made even more special by the fact it was his birthday.

He moved back to Belgium following his Killie departure to see out his career and spend time with his family due to his father falling ill.

He then went on to coach at the likes of Club Brugge and KV Mechelen.

He applied for the Kilmarnock managerial vacancy after Tommy Wright departed Rugby Park, but Derek McInnes was the preferred choice for Killie.

Zdenek Kroca

Zdenek Kroca in action for Kilmarnock (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

He's 41, but big Zdenek is still playing! He left Killie in 2012 to join FC Fastav Zlin in his native Czech Republic, and he still plays with his home city club.

He turns 42 this year, reckon he could still do a job at centre half?

Kenny Shiels

Kenny Shiels (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

Last but not least... the gaffer! Who could forget such an iconic character.

He stayed in Scotland after leaving Killie with a spell at Morton, before moving to Thailand capital Bangkok for a stint with BEC Tero Sasana.

Then it was back to Northern Ireland for a three-year stay at Derry City which led to him being appointed as Northern Ireland Women gaffer. He has led them to Euro 2022, the first time the nation's women's team has qualified for a major tournament.

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