Corrie Ndaba ‘happy’ to be back at Kilmarnock and keen to improve

Corrie Ndaba believes he has found a home at Kilmarnock after returning in the summer for a second spell at Rugby Park.

The 24-year-old defender joined from Ipswich on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee following a successful loan period in Ayrshire last season, with Hibernian also interested in his signature.

Ndaba made 37 appearances for the Rugby Park club last season in what was his seventh loan spell of his career, helping Derek McInnes’ side to fourth place in the William Hill Premiership – which also brought European football.

Ahead of the league game against St Mirren in Paisley on Saturday, the Dubliner said: “There was interest (from Hibs) but I’m happy to be here.

“I think it’s important me to find a home and I felt welcomed here and enjoyed last season and I want to continue and do well at this club.

“So it was a big move for me but I’m happy to be here.

“I kind of take everything in my stride and I like to learn from everyone and all the clubs I’ve been at. It’s also a good opportunity to see new things and play in different countries and teams.

“So I’ve just tried to soak up all I can and improve as a player wherever I am.

“Obviously speaking to the gaffer, I think he’s a great manager. Everyone respects him, a good man manager. He just gets the job done really. We grinded out a lot of results last season and I just enjoy working under him so that was a no-brainer for me to come back.

“We’ve kept most of the players we’ve had from last season. We’ve proved we can do good things so I want to emulate last season again. So that’s the goal.”

However, the start to this season has not gone to plan for McInnes’ side.

After falling short of making it through the Europa League and then the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, and being knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup, Killie find themselves bottom of the table with one point from four games.

Ndaba said: “It’s pretty obvious we haven’t had the start that we would have liked, a lot of games in a short period of time, but I’m sure we’ll want to correct that at the weekend and get the first win.

“I don’t think we need to make any excuses. The gaffer has just emphasised to keep doing what we should be doing, doing the right things, and the wins will come.

“I think it’s important for us to start positive now at the weekend and get that win.”