Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Kilmarnock EXCLUSIVE: Derby veteran Craig Bryson offered pre-contract deal for return
KILMARNOCK have launched an ambitious bid to take Craig Bryson back to Rugby Park.
Express Sport can reveal Killie have made a pre-contract offer to the Derby County midfielder.
The 32-year-old is out of contract with the Rams in the summer and is considering a return to Scotland.
Killie boss Steve Clarke – a potential target for Fulham – knows it would be a real coup and has approved an offer for Bryson.
The Ayrshire club, who take on St Mirren in a Premiership clash on Monday night, have offered Bryson a long-term deal.
It will be up there with their highest earners as Killie bid to get him back.
Bryson – linked with Rangers and Celtic in the last transfer window – is considering the offer.
Although Killie know they might have to play a waiting game as he is likely to have options on both sides of the Border.
Midfielder Bryson was at Kilmarnock from 2007 to 2011 before moving to Derby.
He cost Derby just £350,000 eight years ago and has played over 200 times for the club.
Bryson has been a regular in Frank Lampard’s first team this term, making 27 appearances so far.
A move back to Scotland could appeal to the Rutherglen lad, who started his playing career at Clyde.
As for Clarke, Killie are facing a nervous wait over their English manager.
Premier League strugglers Fulham have put Scott Parker in caretaker charge until the end of the season after Claudio Ranieri’s exit.
But Clarke is in their mind for the role full-time, with the Cottagers almost certain to drop into the Championship.
Fulham are unlikely to appoint a successor to Parker until the end of the season, as by then they’ll know for sure which league they are in.