Editing Kevin Kyle

{{short description|Scottish footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kevin Kyle
| image = Kevin Kyle 291210.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Kyle playing for [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] in 2010
| fullname = Kevin Alastair Kyle<ref>{{Hugman|11234|access-date=5 March 2017}}</ref>
| height = 
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1981|6|7}}
| birth_place = [[Stranraer]], Scotland
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Striker]]
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–1998
| youthclubs1 = [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]]
| youthyears2 = 1998–2000
| youthclubs2 = [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
| years1 = 2000–2006
| years2 = 2000
| years3 = 2000–2001
| years4 = 2001
| years5 = 2006–2009
| years6 = 2008
| years7 = 2008
| years8 = 2009–2010
| years9 = 2010–2012
| years10 = 2012–2013
| years11 = 2013–2014
| years12 = 2014-
| clubs1 = [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
| clubs2 = → [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] (loan)
| clubs3 = → [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] (loan)
| clubs4 = → [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] (loan)
| clubs5 = [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
| clubs6 = → [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] (loan)
| clubs7 = → [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] (loan)
| clubs8 = [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
| clubs9 = [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]]
| clubs10 = [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
| clubs11 = [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]]
| caps1 = 91 | goals1 = 17
| caps2 = 4  | goals2 = 1
| caps3 = 5  | goals3 = 1
| caps4 = 6  | goals4 = 0
| caps5 = 44 | goals5 = 5
| caps6 = 12 | goals6 = 1
| caps7 = 15 | goals7 = 5
| caps8 = 43 | goals8 = 16
| caps9 = 19 | goals9 = 7
| caps10 = 8 | goals10 = 3
| caps11 = 24 | goals11 = 5
| totalcaps = 274 | totalgoals = 63
| nationalyears1 = 2003
|  nationalteam1 = [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland under−21]]
|  nationalcaps1 = 14
| nationalgoals1 = 6
| nationalyears2 = 2002–2010
|  nationalteam2 = [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
|  nationalcaps2 = 10
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| club-update = 19:48, 25 March 2016 (UTC)
}}

'''Kevin Alastair Kyle''' (born 7 June 1981) is a Scottish retired [[association football|footballer]] and media personality who played as a [[centre forward]]. He played for eleven senior clubs in his career. Kyle gained ten full [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] international caps and scored one goal.

After starting as a youngster at [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]], Kyle began his professional career with [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], where he had been in the youth team. He remained at the [[Stadium of Light]] for six years, making 91 appearances in the [[Football League]], scoring 17 goals. He also made his debut for both the [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland under−21]]s and its senior team during his time in the [[North East of England|North East]], as well as gaining promotion to the [[Premier League]] in 2004–05. In 2006, he moved to [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], for whom he made 44 league appearances and scored five goals. In 2009, Kyle signed for [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]], marking his professional debut in his homeland. After a year in [[East Ayrshire]], during which he scored 16 goals, he signed for [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] in 2010. In two years at [[Tynecastle Park|Tynecastle]], Kyle scored seven goals in his 19 league appearances. In 2012, Kyle joined [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]], where he made eight league appearances and scored three goals, and won the [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Third Division]] title as the club began its climb back to top tier. He finished his career back at Ayr United in 2013, aged 32, and retired the following year.

==Early life==
Kyle was born and grew up in [[Stranraer]], Scotland<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/sport/local-sport/stranraer_born_kyle_called_for_scotland_1_335908 | title=Stranraer-born Kyle called for Scotland | work=The Galloway Gazette| date=26 August 2009 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> where as well as playing for his school team and local amateur sides he was selected to play for [[Dumfries and Galloway]] region. Also in the same Dumfries and Galloway team was fellow Stranraer boy [[Allan Jenkins (footballer)|Allan Jenkins]].

==Playing career==

===Sunderland===
Kyle began his career as a youth at [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]] before joining [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in 1998,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/kevin-kyle-hearts_2241487_19032 | title=Kyle Hearts Profile | publisher=[[Heart of Midlothian F.C.]] | access-date=22 December 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227083025/http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/kevin-kyle-hearts_2241487_19032 | archive-date=27 December 2011 }}</ref> where he was a prolific scorer for their reserves. However, he was unable to force his way into a first team that boasted the striking talent of [[Kevin Phillips (footballer)|Kevin Phillips]] and [[Niall Quinn]]. Instead, he gained first team experience on loan with [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield]], [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] and [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.timesplus.co.uk/tto/news/?login=false&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetimes.co.uk%2Ftto%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fscotland%2F | title=Burley puts his faith in Kevin Kyle as man to make striking impact | work=The Times | date=26 August 2009 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> It was on loan at [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] that Kyle scored his first career goals, notching against [[A.F.C. Sudbury|Sudbury]] in the FA Cup and [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] in the league.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1028042.stm | title=Darlington 6–1 AFC Sudbury | publisher = BBC Sport | date=18 November 2000 | access-date=17 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/1049666.stm | title=Darlington 2–1 Mansfield | publisher = BBC Sport | date=2 December 2000 | access-date=17 March 2010}}</ref>

After finally breaking into the Sunderland first team in the [[2003–04 in English football|2003–04 season]] he ended up as their joint top goalscorer with 16 goals to help them to the play-offs.<ref>{{Soccerbase season|21781|2003|access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> However, he missed most of the following season owing to a hip injury and his recovery was aided by visits to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] doctor [[Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt]] and American hip surgeon Marc Phillipon.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/scottishpremier/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/05/09/manual_111459.html | title=KEVIN KYLE FEARED FOR CAREER | work=Sporting Life | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=The Northern Echo|url=http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2005/8/12/203549.html|title=Kyle in dramatic search for fitness|date=12 August 2005|access-date=18 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527032759/http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2005/8/12/203549.html|archive-date=27 May 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=My season is over admits toiling Shola |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/season-over-admits-toiling-shola-1555801 |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=Evening Chronicle |date=13 November 2016}}</ref> He returned to first team action in February 2006, scoring his first and only [[Premier League]] goal in March 2006, away to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/mar/06/match.sport1 | title=Samaras' quick double piles more pain on blunder-prone Sunderland | work=The Guardian| date=6 March 2006 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> in a season that saw Sunderland relegated on a then-record low points tally.

===Coventry City===
Kyle then joined [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] on 25 August 2006 for £600,000,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/5286038.stm | title=Sky Blues sign Scotland's Kyle | publisher = BBC Sport | date=25 August 2006}}</ref> but only went on to score three goals during the campaign. He scored just two more. Out of favour with the Sky Blues and despised by their fans,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/coventry-city-fc/coventry-city-fc-news/tm_headline=kevin-kyle-s-plea-to-wolves-fans-give-me-some-support&method=full&objectid=20426001&siteid=50003-name_page.html | title=Kevin Kyle's plea to Wolves' fans: Give me some support | work=Coventry Telegraph| date=1 February 2008 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> he traded a relegation battle with [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry]] for a promotion push with a loan to fellow [[Football League Championship|Championship]] side [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] during the latter half of the 2007–08 season,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/wolves-fc-news/2008/01/30/wolves-sign-kevin-kyle-on-loan-97319-20414663/ | title=Wolves Sign Kyle | work=Birmingham Mail| date=30 January 2008 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> reuniting him with his former Sunderland boss [[Mick McCarthy]]. He made 13 appearances, nine as substitute, scoring once against Crystal Palace.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7248332.stm | title=Crystal Palace 0–2 Wolves | publisher = BBC Sport | date=23 February 2008 | access-date=2 November 2009}}</ref> While Wolves finished seventh, outside the play-offs, his move was not made permanent as Kyle said he would rather return to Coventry, who finished a point clear of the relegation positions in 21st, in the summer. After failing to feature at all during the opening stages of the next season for his parent club, he joined [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] on a month's loan on 1 October 2008.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hartlepool_united/7623051.stm | title=Kyle completes Pools loan switch | publisher = BBC Sport | date=1 October 2008}}</ref> The loan was later extended until the end of the year,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-utd/match-report/danny_bids_to_extend_kyle_loan_1_1031783 | title=Danny bids to extend Kyle loan | work=Hartlepool Mail| date=31 October 2008 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> and Kyle scored five goals in 15 starts.<ref name="auto1">{{Soccerbase season|21781|2008|access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref>

===Kilmarnock===
On 27 January 2009, Coventry announced that they had reached an agreement with Kyle over the remaining six months of his contract, and he had left the club by mutual consent.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Coventry City FC|url=http://www.ccfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10269~1535920,00.html|title=Kyle cancels contract|date=27 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908065325/http://www.ccfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10269~1535920,00.html|archive-date=8 September 2012}}</ref> Two days later, he signed for [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] on an 18-month contract.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/7859202.stm | title=Kilmarnock sign up striker Kyle | publisher = BBC Sport | date=29 January 2009}}</ref> On 31 January 2009 he scored a headed goal on his debut for Kilmarnock against [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]] and this goal was also the first at the new St Mirren Park.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7858986.stm | title=St Mirren 1–1 Kilmarnock | publisher = BBC Sport | date=31 January 2009 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> On 11 April he scored all three goals, his first ever professional [[hat-trick]], in a 3–0 victory against Falkirk for which he received a standing ovation when he was substituted.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7992239.stm | title=Kilmarnock 3–0 Falkirk | publisher = BBC Sport | date=11 April 2009 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> Kyle was praised for his part in keeping Killie in the SPL that season.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/KYLE+MARNOCK%3B+Skipper+Hay+hails+goal+machine+Kyle+for+saving+Killie...-a0199963576 | title=Skipper Hay hails goal machine Kyle for saving Killie and pleads for him to stay at Rugby Park. | publisher=Free Library | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> In the games following the 2008–2009 season [[Scottish Premier League]] split, Kyle scored all of Kilmarnock's goals in a draw with Falkirk and victories against St Mirren and Inverness Caledonian Thistle thus helping the team secure 8th place and SPL survival. He scored eight goals in total that season.<ref name="auto1"/>

Kyle was made Kilmarnock club captain for the 2009–10 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2009/07/25/kevin-kyle-is-new-kilmarnock-skipper-due-to-his-influence-on-the-pitch-says-jim-jefferies-86908-21546462/ | title=Kevin Kyle is new Kilmarnock skipper due to his influence on the pitch, says Jim Jefferies | work=Daily Record|location=Scotland | date=25 July 2009 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> He started where he left off by scoring twice in the opening day 3–0 home victory over Hamilton and his good form won him a recall to the Scotland squad after an absence of five years.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8200792.stm | title=Kilmarnock 3 – 0 Hamilton | publisher = BBC Sport | date=15 August 2009 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> In the [[Scottish League Cup]] game against Morton (in which he also scored) he suffered a knee injury, sidelining him for three weeks and causing him to miss the final two World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and the Netherlands on 5 and 10 September 2009.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} In January 2010, he relinquished the club captaincy following his involvement in the events that ultimately led to the departure of manager [[Jim Jefferies (footballer)|Jim Jefferies]].<ref>{{cite news|work=Daily Record |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2010/01/24/kevin-kyle-i-ve-quit-as-kilmarnock-captain-as-it-took-focus-off-my-game-86908-21991358/|title=Kyles Quits as Killie Captain|date=24 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/kilmarnock/kevin-kyle-i-decided-to-leave-as-soon-as-i-was-called-a-liar-by-the-chairman-1.1034122 | title=Kevin Kyle: 'I decided to leave as soon as I was called a liar by the chairman' | work=The Herald | date=10 June 2010 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref>

Kyle became unhappy at Kilmarnock and went on trial with Russian side [[PFC Spartak Nalchik]] with a view to join them at the end of the season when his current deal expired but rejected a move.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/kilmarnock/2010/03/05/kilmarnock-striker-kevin-kyle-rejects-russian-switch-86908-22087055/ | title=Kilmarnock striker Kevin Kyle rejects Russian switch | work=Daily Record|location=Scotland | date=5 March 2010 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> Whilst playing in a trial match there he picked up an injury,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/8556576.stm | title=Kilmarnock striker Kevin Kyle rules out Russian move | publisher = BBC Sport | date=8 March 2010 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> angering manager Calderwood as he missed key games for the club.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/8552043.stm | title=Kilmarnock boss unhappy with Kevin Kyle's Russian trial | publisher = BBC Sport | date=5 March 2010 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref>

===Hearts===
Kyle signed a two-year contract with Hearts on 3 June 2010, which reunited him with Jim Jefferies,<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Johnston Press|work=[[Edinburgh Evening News]]|url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/heartofmidlothianfc/Kevin-Kyle-to-join-Hearts.6334794.jp|title=Kevin Kyle to Join Hearts}}</ref> making his debut on 14 August 2010 against [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] as a 66th-minute substitute.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8909504.stm | title=Hearts 1 – 1 St Johnstone | publisher = BBC Sport | date=14 August 2010 | access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref> His first goal for the club came the following week against Hamilton in Hearts 4–0 win.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8929859.stm | title=Hamilton 0 – 4 Hearts | publisher = BBC Sport | date=21 August 2010 | access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref> He took over taking [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]]s at the club and scored six goals out of six from the spot,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/jamie_hamill_sure_hearts_will_be_spot_on_at_ibrox_1_1755277 | title=Jamie Hamill sure Hearts will be spot-on at Ibrox | work=The Scotsman | date=18 July 2011 | access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref> plus another four from open play, in the 2010–11 season. He scored a late winner in the [[Edinburgh derby]] against [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] on 1 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news|work=Sporting Life|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/01/01/manual_133951.html|title=King Kyle Wins Derby For Hearts}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The remainder of his 2010–11 season was blighted by a hip injury, as Kyle made his last appearance of the season on 11 January.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/02/15/hearts-hoping-injections-will-speed-up-kevin-kyle-recovery-86908-22925475/ | title=Hearts hope injections will stop surgery|work=Daily Record| date=15 February 2011|location=Scotland | access-date=27 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13071296.stm | title=Hearts' Kevin Kyle is pre-season doubt after operation | publisher = BBC Sport | date=13 April 2011 | access-date=13 April 2011}}</ref> The injury continued to trouble Kyle in the 2011–12 season.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15388699.stm | title=Hearts striker Kevin Kyle faces further surgery worry | publisher = BBC Sport | date=20 October 2011 | access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref> After several setbacks Kyle admitted that he feared this could be the end of his footballing career.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/hearts/272616-kevin-kyle-unsure-over-future-in-football/ | title=Kevin Kyle unsure over future in football | publisher=Scottish Television | date=30 September 2011 | access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> Kyle underwent a further operation on his hip in January 2012,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16583779.stm | title=Hearts striker Kevin Kyle hopes surgery will save career | publisher = BBC Sport | date=16 January 2012 | access-date=26 January 2012}}</ref> but was released from his contract in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17341944 | title=Hearts part company with striker Kevin Kyle | publisher = BBC Sport | date=11 March 2012 | access-date=11 March 2012}}</ref>

===Rangers===
Kyle was initially invited back to train with Hearts during the 2012–13 pre-season<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2012/03/13/ex-scotland-striker-kevin-kyle-i-trust-alex-macqueen-to-save-my-career-after-hip-hell-86908-23786237/ | title=Ex-Scotland striker Kevin Kyle: I trust Alex MacQueen to save my career after hip hell | work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|location=Glasgow | date=13 March 2012 | access-date=25 July 2012}}</ref> however this fell through following the departure of manager [[Paulo Sérgio Bento Brito|Paulo Sérgio]]. He began training with [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/sport/football/kevin-kyle-prepares-to-kick-start-career-at-dunfermline-1-2387345 | title=Kevin Kyle prepares to kick-start career at Dunfermline | publisher=[[Johnston Press]] | work=[[The Scotsman]] | date=2 July 2012 | access-date=25 July 2012}}</ref> and featured for them as a trialist during their pre-season friendlies.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/football/top-stories/hearts-dump-dunfermline-2-0-at-east-end-park-1-2427589 | title=Hearts dump Dunfermline 2–0 at East End Park | publisher=[[Johnston Press]] | work=[[The Scotsman]] | date=23 July 2012 | access-date=25 July 2012}}</ref> He then joined [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] on trial.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18984186|title=Kevin Kyle trains with St Johnstone as Steve Lomas waits on budget|date=25 July 2012|access-date=25 July 2012}}</ref> After revealing he would be open to a move to [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/st-johnstone/112325-kevin-kyle-open-to-rangers-move-if-he-fails-to-win-st-johnstone-deal/ | title=Kevin Kyle open to Rangers move if he fails to win St Johnstone deal | publisher=[[Scottish Television|STV]] | work=STV Sport | date=25 July 2012 | access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> Kyle accepted an invite to take part in one of their training sessions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tv.rangers.co.uk/articles/20120727/kyle-trains-with-gers_2254024_2862654 | title=Kyle Trains With Gers | publisher=[[Rangers F.C.]] | work=tv.rangers.co.uk | date=27 July 2012 | access-date=27 July 2012 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On 7 August 2012, Kyle signed a one-year contract with [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/9459073/Rangers-sign-Kevin-Kyle-Francisco-Sandaza-and-Emilson-Cribari.html | title=Rangers sign Kevin Kyle, Francisco Sandaza and Emilson Cribari | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London | date=7 August 2012 | access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref> Kyle made his Rangers debut on the same day as signing as a substitute at home to [[East Fife F.C.|East Fife]] in the [[Scottish League Cup|League Cup]] first round.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19058945 | title=Rangers 4–0 East Fife | publisher=BBC Sport | date=7 August 2012 | access-date=20 August 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114082214/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19058945 | archive-date=14 November 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> On 16 March 2013, Kyle left the club by mutual consent.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ts & Cs |url=http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/3557-kevin-kyle-leaves-gers |title=Kevin Kyle Leaves Gers – Rangers Football Club, Official Website |publisher=Rangers.co.uk |access-date=2016-02-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121021/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/3557-kevin-kyle-leaves-gers |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}</ref>

===Ayr United===
Kyle started training with Ayr in late August 2013, and soon began playing in reserve games. He made his debut, although as a trialist, after being subbed on in a 1–1 draw at Stenhousemuir.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/match/380/ |title=Stenhousemuir vs Ayr United – September 14, 2013 – Ayr United Football Club |publisher=Ayrunitedfc.co.uk |date=2013-09-14 |access-date=2016-02-13}}</ref> Kyle played one more game before finally signing a contract, which was held up due to financial constraints, that lasted until January 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/kyle-signs-up/ |access-date=10 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003160324/http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/kyle-signs-up/ |archive-date=3 October 2013 |title=Kyle Signs Up}}</ref>

==International career==
Kyle has represented Scotland at under-21,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=823&playerID=25011&squadID=5 | title=Kevin Kyle Under 21 Squad | publisher=Scottish Football Association | access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref> and at full international level making ten appearances scoring once, against a [[Hong Kong League XI]] during the [[HKSAR Reunification Cup]] in May 2002.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=823&playerID=25011&squadID=1 | title=Kevin Kyle A Squad | publisher=Scottish Football Association | access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref> His last call up was for a friendly against the Faroe Islands in November 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/kyle_call_up_and_zal_deal_boost_hearts_1_1312213 | title=Kyle call up and Zal deal boost Hearts | work=The Scotsman | date=12 November 2010 | access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|15 March 2014}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=21781 | title=Kevin Kyle Stats | publisher=Soccerbase | access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/kevin-kyle/15834/ | title=Kevin Kyle Stats | publisher=Soccerway | access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=2 | Club
! rowspan=2 | Season
! colspan=2 | League
! colspan=2 | FA Cup
! colspan=2 | League Cup
! colspan=2 | Europe
! colspan=2 | Other
! colspan=2 | Total
|-
! App
! Goals
! App
! Goals
! App
! Goals
! App
! Goals
! App
! Goals
! App
! Goals
|- align=center
| rowspan=7 | [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
|[[2000–01 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2000–01]]
|3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||3||0
|- align=center
|[[2001–02 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2001–02]]
|6||0||1||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||8||0
|- align=center
|[[2002–03 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2002–03]]
|17||0||3||0||2||1||0||0||0||0||22||1
|- align=center
|[[2003–04 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2003–04]]
|46||12||5||1||2||3||0||0||0||0||53||16
|- align=center
|[[2004–05 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2004–05]]
|6||0||0||0||1||1||0||0||0||0||7||1
|- align=center
|[[2005–06 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2005–06]]
|13||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||14||1
|- align=center
|[[2006–07 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2006–07]]
|2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|- align=center
|| [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]]
|[[2000–01 Huddersfield Town F.C. season|2000–01]]
|4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||0
|- align=center
|| [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]]
|[[2000–01 Darlington F.C. season|2000–01]]
|5||1||3||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||8||2
|- align=center
|| [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]]
|[[2000–01 Rochdale A.F.C. season|2000–01]]
|6||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||6||0
|- align=center
| rowspan=2 | [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry]]
|[[2006–07 Coventry City F.C. season|2006–07]]
|31||3||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||33||3
|- align=center
|[[2007–08 Coventry City F.C. season|2007–08]]
|13||2||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||14||2
|- align=center
|| [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolves]]
|[[2007–08 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season|2007–08]]
|12||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||13||1
|- align=center
|| [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool]]
|[[2008–09 Hartlepool United F.C. season|2008–09]]
|15||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||15||5
|- align=center
| rowspan=2 | [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
|[[2008–09 Kilmarnock F.C. season|2008–09]]
|11||8||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||12||8
|- align=center
|[[2009–10 Kilmarnock F.C. season|2009–10]]
|32||8||2||0||2||2||0||0||0||0||36||10
|- align=center
| rowspan=2 | [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]]
|[[2010–11 Heart of Midlothian F.C. season|2010–11]]
|19||7||1||0||2||3||0||0||0||0||22||10
|- align=center
|[[2011–12 Heart of Midlothian F.C. season|2011–12]]
|0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|- align=center
|| [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
|[[2012–13 Rangers F.C. season|2012–13]]
|8||3||0||0||2||0||0||0||1||0||11||3
|- align=center
|| [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]]
|[[2013–14 Ayr United F.C. season|2013–14]]
|24||5||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||27||5
|- align=center
! Total
!
! 273
! 54
! 23
! 3
! 13
! 10
! 0
! 0
! 1
! 0
! 310
! 68
|}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=3 | [[Scotland national football team|Scotland national team]]
|-
!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
| 2002 || 7 || 1
|-
| 2003 || 1 || 0
|-
| 2004 || 1 || 0
|-
| 2009 || 1 || 0
|-
!Total || 10 || 1
|}

====International goals====
:''Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.''
{| class="wikitable"
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
|1 || 23 May 2002 || [[Hong Kong Stadium]], [[Hong Kong]] || {{fb|HKG}} || 1–0 || 4–0 || [[HKSAR Reunification Cup]]
|-
|}

==Honours==
;[[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]:
*[[Football League Championship]] Champions: [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]]
;[[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]:
*[[Scottish Football League Third Division]] Champions: [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13]]
;Individual:
* North East Football Award – young player of the year: 2004
2014s Navy League Winners (Manager)

==Darts==

Kevin entered the BDO Scottish Open darts tournament in 2016, reaching the last 256. He beat Lakeside semi-finalist Richard Veenstra, who was ninth seed in the tournament, on the way.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/transfer-news/former-coventry-city-striker-kevin-10899783 |title=Former Coventry City striker Kevin Kyle finding the target as a darts player |work=Coventry Telegraph |date=16 February 2016 |access-date=20 March 2016 |first=Aidan |last=MacCartney}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Kyle is married to Lynn. <ref>[https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18625366.kevin-kyle-opens-knife-heart-article-life-football-open-goal-changing-fans-perception/ "Kevin Kyle opens up on 'knife to heart' article on life after football, Open Goal and changing fans' perception"] – ''[[Glasgow Evening Times]]'', 4 August 2020</ref> He has four sons; Max, Harry, Danny and Tom. 
.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/former-10k-a-week-scotland-rangers-star-3871174|title=Former £10k-a-week Scotland and Rangers star Kevin Kyle works 12-hour shifts as storeman on ferry to provide for his family|first=Dan|last=Warburton|date=17 July 2014|website=Daily Record}}</ref> His brother-in-law is fellow Stanraer native [[Jamie Adams]].<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/spl-st-johnstone-0-hearts-1075658|title=SPL: St Johnstone 0 Hearts 2|first=David|last=Rinaldi|date=14 November 2010|website=Daily Record}}</ref>

In 2007, he was convicted of two breaches of the peace after a brawl in Stranraer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/6443673.stm|title=Footballer convicted after brawl|date=13 March 2007|website=BBC}}</ref>

After retiring, Kyle worked in the [[Shetland Islands]] for two years, doing 18-day stints of 12-hour shifts as a room-keeper on the [[MS Regina Baltica|MS ''Regina Baltica'']] [[cruiseferry]]. "Life was pretty shit," he said. At a [[Clyde F.C.]] training camp, he met [[Simon Ferry]], who asked him if he'd like to come on his ''Keeping the Ball on the Ground'' [[podcast]].<ref name=hydrodoc>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJDfF9XTuNs "The Road To The Hydro: The Behind-The-Scenes Open Goal Documentary"] – Open Goal, YouTube, 10 December 2021</ref>

== Media career ==
In 2018, Kyle was interviewed by Simon Ferry on the [[YouTube]] channel Open Goal.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 July 2018|title=Si Ferry Meets... Kevin Kyle – Sunderland Days, Scotland, Killie, Hearts and Rangers|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GZrFCevoFQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/_GZrFCevoFQ| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=17 November 2020|via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> "I did the interview and I thought, 'This could be quite good.' I don't know how to filter things and just say things how it is."<ref name=hydrodoc/> After returning to the channel for a few appearances, Kyle became a permanent fixture on the channel, regularly featuring on the channel's podcast with Ferry and [[Paul Slane]], as well as [[Andy Halliday]] later on.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Open Goal – YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/c/OpenGoal/|access-date=13 November 2020|via=YouTube}}</ref> The show has gained a large cult following, and Open Goal was awarded 'Best Podcast' at the 2019 Football Blogging Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Harriet|date=2019|title=The 2019 Winners – Football Blogging Awards|url=https://footballcontentawards.com/2019/05/16/2019-winners-football-blogging-awards/|access-date=14 November 2020|website=footballcontentawards.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Soccerbase}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kyle, Kevin}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Stranraer]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Scottish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland men's B international footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Darlington F.C. players]]
[[Category:Rochdale A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Coventry City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players]]
[[Category:Heart of Midlothian F.C. players]]
[[Category:Rangers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Scottish Premier League players]]
[[Category:People educated at Stranraer Academy]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League players]]
[[Category:Footballers from Dumfries and Galloway]]
[[Category:Ayr United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Newton Stewart F.C. players]]
[[Category:Scottish Professional Football League players]]
[[Category:21st-century Scottish sportsmen]]