Will Dennis to Kilmarnock return chances rated by manager

The 23-year-old has enjoyed an excellent campaign between the sticks for Killie this term, in what has been his first proper test at an elite level. His previous first-team experience came in the non-leagues of English football with Slough Town.

The Englishman is contracted to Premier League outfit Bournemouth until the summer of 2026. He was brought to Killie to replace Sam Walker last June, and after a nervous start in the League Cup campaign, his confidence has grown and he’s played his part in 13 clean sheets this season.

McInnes has made it no secret that he’d love to have Dennis back for Killie’s assault on Europe in the summer and for the 2024/25 campaign in general. The player himself recently admitted he’d been open to extending his spell in Ayrshire.

The decision lies with Bournemouth though, as McInnes - who would also love to reunite with Stuart Findlay and Corrie Ndaba next season - is of the belief that he could become their No.2 next term. 

“I spoke with Bournemouth on Tuesday and they are absolutely over the moon with the loan,” the 52-year-old said. “It could not have gone better for them. A boy that was playing in the non-league with his first loan to playing in the Premiership.

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“His stats are magnificent and he has played a huge part. He got a clean sheet last Saturday against Hearts and, although a clean sheet is not always down to your goalkeeper, we needed him on occasions and he was there.

“For somebody so young, he has done extremely well for us. He’s one of a few loan players I would love to keep. It’s been a great loan for him, us and Bournemouth. It’s exactly how you want your loans to be.

“He will probably go back and compete to No.2 there next year and then Bournemouth will probably make a decision, I would imagine, where what’s best for him.”

Asked if holding out for Dennis in the summer becomes a precarious position, the manager responded: “I think there is a load of factors in that. We need to prepare the best way we can for us and you cannot wait for someone forever.

“Again, there might be another good option that comes up where we think: We will just take that rather than risk a maybe signing.

“But Will has done well as have all our loan signings. Corrie Ndaba and Stuart Findlay have been magnificent. We’ve had good discussions with both lads on trying to stay here and we’ve spoken with both clubs [Ipswich and Oxford] about the potential.”

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Earlier this week, the financial benefits of Killie finishing fourth were laid bare online.

Minus gate receipts and television rights money, the Ayrshire club is looking at raking in £600,000. So, when the remaining amounts are factored in, for all four guaranteed games, then it could potentially be worth the guts of over £1m for Billy Bowie & Co.

It was put to McInnes if that sort of money could be the difference between retaining some of the aforementioned players or not. While he’s well aware it would be a boost, he insists Killie did not expect to finish fourth, so any cash injections from here on in will be welcomed.

He responded: “Nobody has said that to me, but I am well aware as a manager that prize money is so important. Any sort of money you can bring into the club. There are so many different aspects of the club that money could be used for.

“Obviously, the more money you bring in, the better your case is when you ask the question.

“No one has said that that we need to finish there or there and we have certainly not budgeted for fourth this season. So wherever we finish, and hopefully it is fourth, it has exceeded expectations and, hopefully, that goes well.

“I have been well supported by the board. They have always tried to give us the best and most competitive budget that they can. But like every manager, you are always looking to push for more and the demand changes again next season.”