'Devastated' Scottish Premiership side rocked as key player ruled out for rest of season

John-Jules joined Kilmarnock on a short-term deal last October after leaving Crawley in the summer and has made a big impact, netting eight goals as they bid to beat relegation from the Premiership - including a hat-trick against fellow strugglers St Mirren.

The 25-year-old has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the Ayrshire club until at least the summer of 2027, but he misses the Premiership run-in with a substantial quad injury picked up in the recent 3-2 defeat against Celtic at Rugby Park.

Ahead of the trip to Falkirk on Saturday, McCann said: “Absolutely devastated first and foremost for the boy. I will not go over my disappointment at some of the questions he was asked (about previous injuries) after his hat-trick.

“It was just going from an amazing high for a kid to an amazing low in such a short space of time. And it’s a huge blow to us as a team because he’s so good about the dressing room.

“I love him to bits, he’s always smiling, he’s always got a right good way about him. He’s a very talented footballer. That isn’t going to leave him.

“His light might dim a wee bit because he’s not involved with the team on the pitch, either training or match days, but I really hope he still gets around the boys because he is such a big influence.

Focus is on ‘getting back fit’

“And of course, his contract is extended now and it lets the boy just focus getting back fit and getting ready and joining us back in the summer again, which we can’t wait for.

“I’m only looking at the next game. I know it is cliché, but it very much is the case for us. We’ve been working at that structure, looking at Falkirk.

“He (John-Jules) has committed his future to Kilmarnock so the future is very bright, a training ground, going back to a grass pitch, hopefully retaining our Premiership status – you want good players to be at the football club.”

McCann is glad to see midfielder Kyle Magennis back in training after recovering from a knee injury which has kept him out since October.

He added: “Really pleasing news that Kyle Magennis is going to join us today on the pitch. He’s not obviously ready to take part in games, but at least he’s back training with the group.”