Lee McCulloch say he is delighted Lee Erwin chose Kilmarnock

Lee McCulloch believes Kilmarnock have pulled off a major coup by signing Lee Erwin.

Erwin was in high demand after calling time on his stint with Leeds earlier this month but McCulloch is overjoyed he has managed to seal his signature.

He said: We're delighted to get Lee's move over the line.

The former Motherwell striker has knocked back more lucrative offers from rival suitors to pen a two-year deal at Rugby Park.

He was somebody we have had in our minds since the end of last season but we didn't know what his situation was going to be at Leeds.

He did really well down there but got loaned out a couple of times. I know the reasons for that but I'm not going to go into it. It had to do with the manager and the chairman down there at the time.

But it's a massive coup for us to get him signed. He's still young, Scottish and the fans will be able to relate to him.

He had loads and loads of interest in him but I'm just delighted he has picked Kilmarnock. He had offers of more money elsewhere but he knows he'll get an opportunity here.

I like the way he goes about his business. He can score goals, lead the line, he has great technique and is pretty quick, so he ticks all the boxes for us.''

McCulloch now plans to pair Erwin with veteran striker Kris Boyd, although his place in the Killie squad for Saturday's final Betfred Cup group-stage clash with Dumbarton remains uncertain as the club waits on international clearance.

But his new boss will hope Erwin can improve on the figures that saw him net 10 goals in 40 appearances while on loan at Sky Bet League One outfit Oldham last term.

McCulloch, though, knocked back suggestions he may need to work hard to change the impression held of him following his part in the notorious Fir Park brawl that followed the 2015 Ladbrokes Premiership play-off final.

Erwin was part of a Well side who staved off relegation by thrashing Rangers 6-1 over two legs. But he sparked a huge melee when he pushed Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni in the back after his offer of a full-time handshake had been snubbed, with the Tunisian swinging punches and kicks in return.

No because he was brilliant in that game,'' said McCulloch, who was in the Light Blues line-up that day, when asked if that incident portrayed his new signing in a negative light.He has nothing to prove.

The only thing he needs to show is that he can still do it in the SPL.

That game was a high-profile match but before that he was doing well and showing his qualities.

He has gone down to England and done well and gained invaluable experience so he's coming back up with, in my opinion, nothing to prove apart from that he can still perform at this level.''

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