Northern Ireland international Brad Lyons says European qualification a ‘big aim’ for Kilmarnock between now and the end of the season

The 26-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder sustained a knee injury in the 2-2 home draw against Dundee on December 30 and required an operation.

Killie finished the game in fourth place in the cinch Premiership and remain in that European spot, five points ahead of St Mirren with six games remaining.

Ahead of the visit to play St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, Lyons, who was “absolutely delighted” to recently sign a new deal which keeps him at Rugby Park until 2026, claims a European spot is a massive aim.

He said: “We’re really proud that we got top-six this season, especially from our last two seasons where we were coming out of the Championship and then surviving relegation.

“So that’s a big aim for us. That’s the drive.

“Obviously, we’re going to take it a game at a time but that’s a big aim is trying to get Europe and trying to get this club back to where it belongs.”

Lyons, who signed for Killie from Blackburn in June 2021, admitted the road to recovery from the most serious injury of his career has been hard and is thankful for all the help he received.

“I’ve had a few injuries but this has been the most long-term one,” he said.

“I think it’ll be 15 weeks on Saturday since I have been out.

“I was out for two weeks and then I got an operation and I was in a leg brace for six weeks. So it was tough at times mentally but with all the boys around me it flew in.

“The physios were hands-on straight away, trying to get the mobility and get the swelling away as soon as possible.

“So I literally I spent a day at home after the operation just to chill out and try and get the pain away but I was straight here and straight to work.

“I don’t think I want to see a Wattbike ever again but big respect to the physios and I have to give a shout out to my girlfriend and Innes Cameron as well, and all the boys – the way they looked after me when it was in a leg brace and stuff it was so good.

“At the start it was about mobility and then it was about getting strength and getting back running, but I feel like I’ve came by fitter and stronger and more hungry because obviously I’ve seen how well the boys have done in previous weeks. So I want to try and get back into that squad, never mind the team.”