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Kirk Broadfoot last night insisted he had to quit Kilmarnock – because Angelo Alessio’s methods made him want to walk away from football.

The former Scotland defender terminated his Rugby Park contract on deadline day and has now signed a two-year deal with his first club St Mirren.

In an astonishing parting shot at the former Italy and Chelsea No.2, Broadfoot claimed Alessio’s training was so boring he’d have been forced into early retirement had he stayed.

And the veteran revealed he and some team-mates were forced to do extra fitness work on their own because the Italian wasn’t keeping them sharp enough.

The 35-year-old was a key part of the Killie side that finished third under Steve Clarke last season to book a return to Europe for the first time in 18 years.

But Clarke then left to take the Scotland job and Broadfoot quickly became disillusioned with his high-profile successor.

(Image: 2019 - SNS Group)

Broadfoot said: “Everyone expected change when Steve went and Angelo came in but it went from one extreme to the other.

“Angelo was big on shape and that seemed to be his big thing on the training pitch. We spent hours just doing shape and him walking us through drills.

“I know Alessio has worked at some top clubs with top players but I am not sure it was right for the guys we had at Kilmarnock.

“The majority of the players found it hard and I am not sure how many of them enjoy it.

“I gave it a go but it became harder and harder and I just wasn’t enjoying it. I’m in the last few years of my career and I just want to enjoy playing for as long as I can.

“I knew if I had stayed at Kilmarnock and things had remained the same I would have ended up walking away from football and I didn’t want that to happen.”

Clarke had booked a Europa League slot by leading Killie to third place. But the European adventure was short-lived as Welsh minnows Connah’s Quay Nomads dumped them out in the first qualifier.

Broadfoot said: “It was night and day to what it had been like under Steve. He was super-organised and there was a real tempo to training in every session.

“Everybody knew what we had to do and what was expected of us and everyone saw how successful it was in Steve’s time. When Angelo came in training was just so flat and there was little tempo to it.

(Image: SNS Group)

“I didn’t feel fit or sharp. I ended up going to the gym to run on the treadmill to keep my fitness up. A few of us went out running separately just to get ourselves fitter. I love training and putting in the work but that wasn’t happening at Kilmarnock.

“Leaving was a huge call. I loved my time at Kilmarnock, it’s a great club, with some good people, a great dressing room and a loyal support.

“The last two years have been fantastic but I knew I had to get out and that was when I went to see the manager. He wanted to know why I wanted to leave because he said I was a big player for him.

“But I was honest and told him I wasn’t enjoying my football. I could have ground it out because Kilmarnock is local for me.

“But if I don’t challenge myself every day what is the point of playing? I want to do the best I can and when that stops it’s time to hang up the boots.”

Broadfoot, who came through the ranks at St Mirren before joining Rangers in 2007, can’t wait to help Jim Goodwin’s side make their mark.

He added: “I was impressed with Jim’s plans. I hope I can play my part in making St Mirren successful. I started my career at St Mirren and I’d be really happy to finish it here.”