Kilmarnock players threaten strike over bonus row

THE KILMARNOCK squad are considering strike action for Sunday’s game with Celtic as the row with chairman Michael Johnston over their bonuses continues.

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston has already come under fire from sections of the Kilmarnock support. Picture: SNS

The Sun are reporting that PFA Scotland lawyer Liam O’Donnell has been brought in for crisis talks with the players as they discuss their options regarding the row with the chairman. O’Donnell will be providing advice on the legal ramifications on any moves they may make in a bid to settle the dispute over rewards offered for the club finishing in tenth place or higher in the Premiership this season.

The option of going on strike ahead of the Celtic game at Parkhead had been discussed but was apparently ruled out by the lawyer, who advised the players that doing so would leave them in breach of their contracts.

An insider told the Sun that strike action had been talked about “almost every day” and that doing so against Celtic had been a “serious consideration”.

Chairman Johnston had previously claimed the issue had been resolved but this was dismissed by the players’ union with the involvement of O’Donnell being an indicator of the escalating nature of the dispute.