Scunthorpe Utd: Nelson on verge of Iron exit, with Kilmarnock deal close
Scunthorpe United defender Michael Nelson is expected to complete a move to Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock today.
The 31-year-old centre-back, who had slipped dramatically down the pecking order at Glanford Park in the last few months, will be allowed to leave the Iron on a free transfer, ending a disappointing year in North Lincolnshire.
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Michael Nelson is on the verge of moving to Kilmarnock on a free transfer.
Nelson had another year of his Scunthorpe contract to run beyond the end of the current campaign, but as he is one of the club's bigger earners, United have been happy to allow him to move on.
The Telegraph understands he said his goodbyes to his Iron team-mates yesterday before heading north of the border for talks.
The former Hartlepool United captain was seen as a brilliant buy when he arrived from Norwich City on January 31 last year for an undisclosed fee, but he has struggled to find his best form.
He began this season as one of Alan Knill's first-choice centre-backs, but has since slipped behind Shane Duffy, Niall Canavan, Paul Reid and even rookie Ashley Palmer. Nelson has not even made the bench during his side's last five matches.
Only last week the defender's agent Clive Hart confirmed his client was likely to exit United during the current transfer window.
"It looks like Michael will be leaving Scunthorpe this month as part of a squad restructuring at the club," he said.
"There has been interest from a couple of SPL clubs and several English sides and we will evaluate all offers."
It appears Kilmarnock, currently seventh in the SPL, are at the top of his list, with Knill confirming on Tuesday lunchtime Nelson's exit from Glanford Park was 'ongoing'.
"Nothing has been finalised yet, but we all felt if Michael could find another club it would be better for him," he said.
"At the moment, that's as far as it has gone.
"There may be some more news in the next couple of days."
5 Comments
by donyironexile
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 10:20PM
“Good questions Oldironfan.
Lots of my neighbours are Wednesday fans and they drool over Rob Jones who is now their captain.
They say 'he is a magnificent defender who scores important goals' and cannot understand why the Iron let him go!
Unbelievable?”
by IronArena
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 1:32PM
“Nels we'll always have Notts Forest”
by Mr_G_
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 12:34PM
“Well thats made my day! Hopefully his huge wage can be used for a better replacement at the back than we've had before. We need a leader, which is what Nelson was ment to be, but one who is quick and can a better job than the likes of Nelson or Jones”
by ToryLording
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 10:58AM
“where do all the melodies come from johnny?
I honestly don't know”
by Oldironfan
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 10:39AM
“Initially it looked as if the Mirfin/Nelson partnership might save the day but Nelson has gone the way of so many iron hopefuls, in recent times, who have not made the impact that was expected; Collins, Dagnall, Josh Wright, M. Duffy, Reid(?) and Rob Jones to mention a few others. Why has a club, respected for bringing players on, had so many failures of late. Have the players been wrong for the club or have the club's tactics been wrong for the players?”