Killie re-sign trio but axe coach

[Celticrugby]

Killie re-sign trio but axe coach




Kilmarnock have extended the contracts of Paul Di Giacomo, Colin Nish and Graeme Smith but dispensed with goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart.


Nish has committed himself to the Rugby Park side for another season.

Fellow striker Di Giacomo will remain until December 2005, while goalkeeper Smith has penned a deal until 2007.

But BBC Sport understands that former Scotland international Stewart's contract is not being renewed due to financial constraints at Rugby Park.

It will bring to an end Stewart's 27-year association with the Scottish Premier League club.

Stewart, who is also the current goalkeeping coach to the national side under Walter Smith, will remain at Killie for the last two fixtures.

Kilmarnock have not replaced first-team coach Ian Durrant, who left for Rangers in February.

Manager Jim Jefferies has admitted that he may be forced to sell top striker Kris Boyd because of Killie's debt problem.

But he decided to retain Di Giacomo and Nish, neither of whom are automatic first choices.

The 24-year-old Nish has scored just five goals this season, failing to hit the target since February. Di Giacomo failed to make one appearance for Killie this season, the 22-year-old being on loan with Second Division Stirling Albion since January, scoring five goals. Smith, also 22, has been in the Killie goal six times this season.