'Quality' Watson 'drives' Kilmarnock - but can they keep him?

Another Saturday, another David Watson masterclass for Kilmarnock.

The 20-year-old has fought his way back into the starting XI since Stuart Kettlewell's arrival in the summer and has arguably become the club's key player.

The resurgence comes after a disappointing season under Derek McInnes in which the midfielder lost his place in the team around the turn of the year and struggled to get back in.

That was a surprise, given the campaign prior he won the PFA Scotland and Scottish Football Writers' Association young player of the year awards.

"Davie's going to have a good career," McInnes once said. "There's no doubt about that.

"How well he does, I think, will be determined by how many goals he gets in a season."

After Watson's strike in the 2-0 victory over St Mirren, he's up to three already this term - but that's not all there is to his game.

So far, he has only ever managed five goals per full season for Kilmarnock. He's only got five assists in his career.

However, Watson's goals always seem to be spectacular. His 92nd-minute winner against Aberdeen. His looping half-volley against St Johnstone. His solo run, from his own half, against St Mirren.

That was just in his first season. In the last campaign, he scored an overhead kick against Dundee United and another dipping effort away at St Johnstone.

Not a great goalscorer, but a scorer of great goals. Then there's the underlying stats.

Joint fourth in the league for goal contributions this season, he also ranks highly for dribbles completed (tied eighth), tackles (tied ninth) and duels won (joint 11th).

And no midfielder ranks better for blocking shots, winning possession in the final third, or fouls won.

In other words, he's all action, he's combative, and there's much more to his game than just going forward - although he's not bad at that either.

The problem for Kilmarnock is that Watson's list of suitors will grow as the number of days left on his contract continues to dwindle.

His deal expires at the end of the season and, like fellow Killie rising star Bobby Wales before him, Watson could well be tempted to move on.

Kettlewell is certainly try to keep him. "He's a breath of fresh air to work with, he's quality," the manager said after Watson's opener sent Kilmarnock on their way to a second consecutive win and third place in the table.

The Rugby Park boss added: "We talk about non-negotiables, which is good body language, energy, application, desire to play the game - he's got that in spadeloads. I love watching him, working with him every single day.

"He gives you a spike to your team, he drives people on with him, which is a terrific trait to have at such a young age."

If the youngster does want to move on, he doesn't have to look far for inspiration. Former Scotland Under-21 team-mate Lennon Miller has, in the last 12 months, won his first couple of Scotland caps and earned a move to Serie A with Udinese.

There was a time when the two were considered to be on similar career trajectories and Watson is proving that, with more first-team football under his belt, a big move could be on the cards.