The Young Team 24/25 | Part 1: Reuben Cooper

Most footballers have played a number of positions in their career – with some ending up in a totally different one from where they started.

An example close to home is that of Josh Magennis who was a powerful attacking player for Kilmarnock – and continues to be for Northern Ireland. But Magennis signed with Cardiff City as a goalkeeper!

So, although it’s not out of the ordinary – it’s always an interesting story to hear of a player switching positions.

So, now to Reuben Cooper. A 17-year-old exciting youth prospect coming through the Kilmarnock academy set-up.

Cooper admits he’s played in every position apart from goalkeeper and right back during his time at Killie.

The young Ayrshire native signed with Killie when he was just 12 after turning down the opportunity to pursue trials at St Mirren and Rangers.

And since then he has played all over the pitch, being brought into the Under 18s squad as a centre-back initially – now he’s thriving in an attacking role, and he says playing across the front line is where he wants to focus on progressing.

Cooper said: “So I came to the club as a midfielder, and then I got played left back, left wing back, left midfield. And then my first shot at 18s was centre-back.

“Maybe it’s because I’m left-footed it was a case of using me in all these positions for the coaches to work out where I am best.

“I then got moved back into the middle. But I’ve played so many positions here, apart from goalie and right back.

“I think it’s got a lot of positives to it, because you can play so many positions. But at the same time you get a tiny bit of frustration, because you want to play in an attacking role. You want to make a position your own.

“I am kind of getting used to it. I know that I can see it as a good thing, maybe I’m needed there. So I take it as a positive. I think my understanding of the game is a lot better due to playing a number of positions.

Cooper has his mum and dad to thank for supporting him throughout his footballing journey so far – he says they’ve always stuck by him and even still they’re his biggest supporters, but insists his dad will be the first to tell him he needs to stay grounded.

And coming through the youth system, his first Killie coaches were Garry Hay and Alan Mahood – so it didn’t take him long to find out what it takes to be a success at this club.

He then transitioned into the Under 17s with Chris Burke and Brian McLean, before Craig Clark gave him his first shot at Under 18s. And now he’s back to familiar surroundings with Burke being the Under 18s coach.

Cooper said: “Hoodie [Mahood] was one of my favourite coaches, he played quite a big part in me joining, and why I enjoy being here at Killie, I loved having him as a coach.

“And then Garry Hay, I enjoyed playing under him, especially because I knew how big a part he played for this club. And that’s kind of when I played left back a wee bit, so having him as my coach helped me a lot.

Cooper admits it was an amazing feeling when Chris Burke decided he had more of an attacking role to play.

“Last season I was more in a midfield role. However, towards the end of the season I was getting more goal contributions. This season we had a wee chat about maybe playing me in more advanced positions.

“So he’s brought out the best out of me. It was a great feeling when someone who had a career like Chris Burke says we want you to be more attacking.

“Especially because I did come to the club wanting to be an attacker and then you play the more defensive roles, I feel like that kind of takes a bit of confidence away from you. You kind of forget the reason you were scouted here was because of your attacking strengths. But the change in role this season has brought that confidence back out for sure.”

Cooper then made sure to pile praise on coach Clark who has been huge for his development too.

“He obviously gave me my first shot at 18s. From 12 to maybe 16, I’d say my football ability wasn’t as good as what it could have been. He then wanted me to play against folk two years older than me. And doing reasonably well in those games brought that confidence back out.

“I started enjoying playing football again. That has played quite a big part as to where I am now.

Cooper admits he looks at David Watson and Bobby Wales as examples of the pathway to first-team football after signing a professional deal until 2026.

He said: “Running out for the first-team one day, that is obviously the aim. It’s what we are all working towards.

“When I got the deal, I was absolutely buzzing. But I knew that day that the journey was only just beginning and the hard work really started.

“I see there’s recent examples that it can happen. That’s what makes us feel so good, because you know the trust in the youth that’s shown recently, it gives you a good feeling.”

This piece was originally published in the Killie Magazine, which is available in the Killie Superstore and is packed full of exclusive content.