Sunday Mail (UK)

I will join Holl of fame

- Anthony Haggerty

Kilmarnock new boy Mohamed El Makrini has vowed to become the latest Dutch player to win silverware in Scotland.

The midfielder would love to emulate the likes of Danny Buijs and Hans Gilhaus as non- Old Firm trophy winners after he penned a 12-month deal at Rugby Park.

El Makrini who made his Killie debut as a sub in Thursday’s 2-1 Europa League victory over Connah’s Quay Nomads, said: “Scotland has been a very successful place for Dutch footballer­s down through the years.

“A lot of Dutch players have created history and won silverware and not just with Celtic and Rangers.

“Plenty of players enjoyed success with other clubs and I would like to experience something similar with Kilmarnock.” Dad of three El Makrini spoke to former Killie star Buijs about his move and got a glowing report from the 2012 League Cup winner.

The former Den Bosch, Odense and Roda ace said: “I have had a great welcome and from the moment I arrived I had a good feeling.

“I spoke with Danny Buijs and he said everything about Kilmarnock was great.”

The only problem El Makrini, 32, has encountere­d is with the Scottish accent.

He revealed: “I couldn’t understand the taxi driver who brought me to Rugby Park and I must have said ‘sorry’ 100 times to him.

“I knew he was speaking English but it was Scottish English and I struggled to understand his accent.

“I hope I will get used to it. Danish was unbelievab­le but I got to grips with that so I am sure I will learn to speak Scottish with my new team-mates soon.”

 ??  ?? EL MAKRINI language
EL MAKRINI language

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