An Exclusive Interview With Kevin Kilbane

He made 540 club appearances and earned 110 caps for the Republic of Ireland, scoring 45 career goals. He spoke exclusively to Best New Bingo Sites on the 7th of October 2025.

Q: What are your views on the new Sunderland manager, Regis Le Bris and how he has adapted to life at Sunderland? Do you believe he can guide them to safety this season?

KK: “Regis Le Bris has adapted great to life at Sunderland and in the Premier League. They’re in a great position after seven games, sitting in the top half on 11 points. I’ve watched quite a few games this season, and it’s been good to watch. It’s always great to see them win away from home with those loyal travelling fans.

“It took me back a bit when I watched them win away at Nottingham Forest, and togetherness like that is exactly what is going to keep them in the Premier League. They have great spirit, which they demonstrated in the playoffs at the end of last season. They had a big shakeup of the squad in the summer, which seems to be paying off at the moment.

“To be honest, it’s been impressive the start to the season considering the turnover of players. They find themselves in a much more comfortable position than I’m sure they anticipated, but it is a long season, and they will be well aware of that. You can’t take anything for granted in the Premier League, and you must win games when you’re in form.

“The start to the season has given me confidence that they will survive. The home form will always be there, so every point on the road is valuable. However, both the players and supporters can’t take it for granted, take it game by game, and we will have a better idea at Christmas.”

Q: Has their fast start to the season surprised you? Would anyone have expected Sunderland to be in the top half of the table after seven games?

KK: “Sunderland’s fast start to the season has caught me off guard a little bit, and that’s not because I didn’t believe in their players. It’s because I didn’t think they would show this level of togetherness so fast after such a huge turnover of players in the summer.

“However, in the Premier League, one defeat can see you spiral and struggle for points for the next month or two, and then the fans lose faith in you, which never helps. But from what I’ve seen so far, the squad looks full of character, and I am impressed with what I am seeing.”

Q: What do you make of the Premier League relegation battle? Do you think the promoted teams can all stay up, and who do you think are vulnerable?

KK: “I don’t think anybody is safe in the Premier League outside of those top six or eight teams until they can’t mathematically get relegated. You have to look at the start of the season that Wolves have had and fancy them to go down this season. But, for me, despite success in recent years, teams like Brighton and Brentford could quite easily be relegated this season.

“Also, it’s not easy to be a yo-yo club. Look at what happened to Luton last season, back-to-back relegations and now they are mid-table in League One 18 months after competing in the Premier League. It’s difficult to retain Premier League status.

“I do think Wolves will go down, Burnley as well, but I could easily offer 10 other teams that will struggle in the Premier League this season. Sunderland would be one of those 10 teams, but after the strong start they’ve had, they are in a strong position to survive. If their form continues, they should have a good number of points on the board before the Christmas period. That is when the fixtures come thick and fast and the weaker teams typically struggle.”

Q: Which players in the team have surprised or impressed you the most?

KK: “I think Granit Xhaka has been very impressive so far in a Sunderland shirt. I think he was a really important signing for Sunderland, and he has really settled everybody on the pitch. He might not be quite the player he was five years ago, but his leadership and ability is invaluable for Sunderland.

“I watched him a lot in Germany when he was playing for Bayer Leverkusen, and the influence he had over that brilliant side was incredible. He has a wealth of experience at the highest levels of football, including almost 140 caps for Switzerland. Xhaka was a huge signing for Sunderland to get over the line this summer.

“I didn’t know what to expect when he signed for the club, but he has quickly become the glue of the team. I have been really impressed by him so far this season.”

Q: It’s quite early for a prediction, but the first Tyne–Wear Derby is just a few months away now. Fans will already be thinking about the fixture. Do you think Sunderland can more than compete with Newcastle, especially considering their positions in the table?

KK: “It is a huge game of football, but Newcastle have moved on to a different level globally in football now compared to Sunderland. They have made huge money signings, which will mean Sunderland will come into the Tyne–Wear Derby as underdogs, but that could suit them.

“Growing up watching football, I wasn’t quite aware how much of a huge game the Tyne–Wear Derby was. I knew more about Old Firm or Merseyside derbies, but after playing in it, I think it is the most ferocious derby in the UK. As soon as I signed for Sunderland, the importance of the game to players, fans and the club was mentioned to me straight away.

“The game means everything to everyone in those two cities. However, I do think this season, if you offered Sunderland fans losing to Newcastle twice and survival or beating them twice and relegation, they would all choose the first option. Beating them twice and surviving would be the best result possible, but I think all focus this season has to be on survival.

“To get a derby win is special, and we will see fireworks in those games. It was an amazing fixture to be a part of when I was a Sunderland player.”

Q: Jack Grealish scored the late winner for Everton with his first goal for the club against Crystal Palace. How have you assessed his start at Everton, and how can David Moyes improve him this season?

KK: “It has been a great start to life at Everton for Jack Grealish. It hasn’t been perfect. There have been times when he has been out of games, but when he is in them, he makes the crowd come alive. They turn up every week to watch players like Grealish at the top of his game.

“When the signing was announced, I thought it made total sense and that the fans would really take to him, which they seem to have done. He plays with personality and swagger that I don’t think the Everton fans have seen in their team for 20 or 30 years, since Trevor Steven and Kevin Sheedy. They have had great players like Steven Pienaar, but nobody as talented as Grealish.

“I think the main thing to focus on with Grealish is his happiness. He seems to play in line with how he is feeling, and the more the fans love him, the better he will perform. The fans will all be thinking about a permanent deal now, and I don’t blame them. It looks like a match made in heaven between Everton and Jack Grealish.”

Q: Given Jack Grealish’s start at Everton, are you surprised more big clubs weren’t in for him over the summer? Chelsea or Man Utd for example? Should he be in the England squad and go to the World Cup or are there too many others still ahead of him in the pecking order?

KK: “Grealish should be a part of the England squad now, he should be with them in this international break. The form he has shown this season and the way he has represented his country in the past, I see no reason or any good excuse why he isn’t playing international football.

“He may have to earn a starting spot as the squad is full of talented wingers who have been present in the squad since he played for England. Even if he doesn’t start for England, he has the ability to really affect a game if you bring him on with 20 minutes to go, and I think he would be valuable to have at the World Cup next year.

“I can’t think of a reason why he isn’t with the squad unless it’s personal. I think it must be personal. Thomas Tuchel looks to have his plans in place, and it seems as though Grealish’s face doesn’t fit. I guess the manager doesn’t like his character because there aren’t many opportunities or many international games for the manager to get to know Grealish between now and the World Cup.

“Jack has the perfect opportunity now at Everton under a manager who really believes in him in David Moyes. I think if he grabs the opportunity and performs, he’ll just be ramming it down Tuchel’s throat that he should be with the squad. That’s how he’ll get back in the England frame. He has to perform out of his skin every week and put Tuchel in a position where he can’t not pick him. If Jack’s face doesn’t fit Tuchel’s plans, he has to make it fit.

“If he carries on in this form, he will have his career back on track. England have proven over the last few years that players can be picked from teams outside the top six, so why not Jack?”

Q: The game against Crystal Palace was Jordan Pickford’s 300th for Everton in the Premier League. David Moyes says they don’t underestimate his ability, but given all he has done for club and country, as England number one for the past 8 years, do you think he is unfairly scrutinised by some and not given the respect his record deserves?

KK: “When Jordan Pickford first came to Everton, I covered a lot of games, and he had a lot of mistakes in his game at that time. Sometimes I think he is still judged on those times, and I was sceptical about him at the beginning. But any criticism he gets now, I just think is ludicrous.

“Everton wouldn’t be a Premier League club without Pickford. His performances a couple of seasons ago when Everton were nearly relegated were just outstanding. His form during the close of that season kept them in the league.

“Jordan and I have shared three previous clubs, and I know he worked extensively with Alan Kelly at both Everton and Preston to improve his game and iron out those mistakes he was making. He is one of the best keepers in the Premier League now, and I’d say he is probably the best shot stopper in the league. Mistakes from Pickford now are very few and far between, and that’s due to experience and hard work. Any criticism fans have of Pickford is unwarranted.”

Q: How do you see the Republic of Ireland’s two qualifiers against Armenia and Portugal going this week? How crucial is it that they get a result in both games?

KK: “I think we’re done now. I don’t think we’ll be at the World Cup next year. The way we performed in those last two games against Hungary and Armenia was unacceptable, and it has cost us our chance of qualifying.

“We have to be beating sides like Hungary, and to start the way we did in that game and get out of jail with a point was fairly lucky. The game against Armenia is one of the worst performances I can remember by an Irish team, and I hold my hands up as I was a part of some awful performances myself.

“I think we are done when it comes to qualifying for the World Cup unless by some miracle, we can beat both Portugal and Armenia this week. We might beat Armenia at home, but I can’t see us getting any change out of Portugal. We now have to chase points and games, and judging from our last two performances, I’d be shocked if we made the World Cup.”

Q: If they lose both of those games, could you see them parting ways with the manager? Damien Duff, Chris Hughton and John O’Shea are top of the betting to replace him. Which of these names would you prefer?

KK: “I think Heimir Hallgrímsson knows now that his days are numbered after the last few performances. Those are the types of performances that ultimately get you fired as a coach, so I’m sure he’s well aware of his situation.

“In the immediate aftermath of those games, everyone was talking about Damien Duff, Chris Hughton, Roy Keane or even Robbie Keane becoming the next manager. I think Robbie will definitely come into the mix with the job he continues to do at Ferencváros. So, I wouldn’t be shocked if he got the job if he wants it.

“A lot needs to be done structurally in Irish football; a new coach isn’t going to fix the national team overnight. The system in place hasn’t been good enough for some time now, and changes need to be made. We haven’t been able to produce enough top-quality players to compete internationally. But I did see recently that there has been more funding granted for League of Ireland clubs, which can only help matters. It’s all about the development of talent.

“I’d personally like to see an Irishman in charge of the national team, and Chris Hughton is probably the most qualified. They have tried a lot of different approaches in recent years, but we need changes now if we want to earn the right to play on the biggest stages of international football.”

Q: Who are the key players in the team that need to be built around?

KK: “I think the three players we must build around are Caoimhin Kelleher, Nathan Collins and Evan Ferguson, that should be the spine of the Irish team. Premier League quality players at the right age in their careers. We’ve lacked leadership in recent games, and it’s great to see Séamus Coleman back in the squad to help with this aspect.

“Collins is now the captain of Brentford, and I think he needs to be stepping into that role for Ireland now as well. He’ll be coming into his prime soon; he’s only going to get better, and I see his leadership becoming more prominent in the squad over the next few years.

“I do think some of the players we have available do struggle with the pressures of playing for Ireland. We are a small nation, so you’d think the pressure isn’t too much of a factor, but it absolutely is, and it’s getting to some of the players at the moment. There are a lot of things at play with the Ireland national team, but we have to be beating sides ranked around and below us much more often than we currently are.

“We do have some good players to be positive about, especially Kelleher, Collins and Ferguson, which is exciting for the future. I’m curious to see how Ferguson develops at Roma this season. It would be great if we could develop a few more players who can help the Ireland team to compete consistently.”

Q: What do you make of Evan Ferguson’s move to Roma, and do you think it’s a good move for him and the Irish national team?

KK: “I thought it was a good move for him. It’s a very technical league, and Evan is very technically gifted in many ways, so I expect him to thrive there. He has had his fair share of injuries, so he needed a good preseason for us to really see the best of him for Roma. He needs goals because if he doesn’t score goals, he’ll soon find himself on the bench, which won’t help his development.

“He got an assist early in the season, and he scored for Ireland during the last international break. He was comfortably our best outfield player in those games. It would be amazing to see him get back to those levels he was playing at when he burst onto the scene in the Premier League.

“It was a good move for him to get out of the Premier League. He looked a bit suffocated, and a new experience might just be what he needed. His loan at West Ham didn’t work out, and Brighton loaned him out there for whatever reason, so he clearly wasn’t in favour there. Gian Piero Gasperini is a great coach for him to have. He has developed plenty of talent, so if anyone can get Ferguson back firing, it’s him. Ferguson needs goals, and I think he will score plenty for Roma this season.”

Q: Who do you favour to win this season’s Champions League? Which players have impressed you so far this season in the competition?

KK: “PSG look good again, and I do think the Premier League has three strong sides competing in it with Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal. I think City could be strong candidates for it this season. However, the team I fancy to win the Champions League is Bayern Munich.

“I think Harry Kane has been so impressive in the tournament so far. He’s my player of the tournament at the moment with the goals that he has scored and created. He has been great in the Bundesliga as well, and with Luis Díaz and Michael Olise either side of him, I fancy them to win it.

“Kylian Mbappé is also finding his feet at Real Madrid and is scoring in the Champions League, so you can never rule them out. But it is difficult to predict after just a few fixtures. This time last year, I could never have seen PSG dominating the Champions League like they did. We will get a better idea around Christmas time.”

Q: Do you still keep up with Preston’s results, given that it is your hometown club? What are your thoughts on their season so far and Paul Heckingbottom’s reign?

KK: “I always keep up with Preston’s results, and what a great start to the season they have had. They have looked brilliant under Paul Heckingbottom, and it’s amazing to see them in those playoff places.

“Preston’s budget affects the level of players they can attract. At the beginning of every Championship season, you will always see them tipped as relegation candidates, as they can’t compete financially with other teams. Yet every season, they’re able to stay in the Championship and perform very well against the top sides and continue to excel.

“It’s been an amazing start to the season for Paul, and I hope he can keep them in the playoff spots for the rest of the season because they deserve it. Preston fans have seen all their rivals play in the Premier League in recent years. Blackpool, Wigan, Blackburn and Burnley have all been up and down at different times, and Preston haven’t had that chance on the big stage yet. The Premier League is the holy grail that Preston fans will be desperate to see the club play in.

“It’s been an unbelievable start for Preston. I’ve got an extra interest in the club now, as I live in Canada and Canadian international Daniel Jebbison is a North End player, and he scored against Charlton at the weekend. He hasn’t quite got going in a Preston shirt yet, but I think he is a player who could really excel in the Championship this season.

“I look forward to seeing how the season unfolds for both Preston and Daniel. I think automatic promotion might be slightly out of reach. Finishing in the playoffs would be an incredible season for Preston, and who knows from there? Anything can happen in the playoffs.”

Q: What did you make of Ryan Mason’s appointment at West Brom in the summer after the brief failed return of Tony Mowbray, and how do you assess their start to the season?

KK: “I was pretty surprised at the appointment given the way the club have approached management over the past few seasons. They have been down the foreign manager route and then got in Tony Mowbray, which didn’t work out, but I think Ryan has been a breath of fresh air.

“He’s a progressive coach, and he speaks really well in the media. From the outside looking in, his communication skills seem great. As someone who has played for the club, I can imagine he has made a good impression on the squad, and the results have been pretty good for the most part. I think they could easily finish in the playoffs this season.”

Q: The club are now in a fifth consecutive season in the Championship – how do you assess where Albion are 18 months into new American ownership (after financial difficulty under Chinese predecessors) and with an eye on Premier League prospects?

KK: “I think the situation at West Brom is quite interesting, and they seem to be going in the right direction now with Ryan Mason in charge. The Championship is a difficult league to get out of if you don’t have the financial backing from being relegated from the Premier League.

“Five seasons in a row in the Championship is probably too many for West Brom. The club will feel that, with the position they are now in and the money they have spent, they need to be back in the Premier League very soon. If not, they could end up with financial implications, but I think with the squad they have and Ryan in charge, they could be promoted this season.”

Q: What have you made of Hull City’s start to the season? Do you think that if City can tighten up defensively, with a striker like Oli McBurnie, they could challenge the top six as the season wears on?

KK: “I’ve really enjoyed watching Hull this season, and I think Oli McBurnie is a fantastic signing that could help Hull have a really good season. It’s been great to see Oli banging in important goals, and you need someone to be prolific if you want to be successful in the Championship.

“They also have great leadership in the side now with John Egan, and I know him very well. So, I think they can develop with the squad they have now. Conceding goals is a problem for a lot of good teams in the Championship. It’s a very open league. It’s so difficult. But if you have somebody like Egan who can control the back four or five, however they’re going to play going forward this season, I think you’re always going to be better for that.”

Q: How impressed have you been with Ryan Giles’ recovery and his growing number of assists, especially for Oli McBurnie?

KK: “Ryan Giles is a fantastic player, and it’s great to see him be so creative once again in this Hull side. Championship teams need players all over the pitch who can be creative if they want to succeed, and the more chances Hull and Ryan create for McBurnie, the better chance they have of winning games and climbing the table.”

Q: Wigan have had a decent start to the season. They are currently mid-table in 14th place. Would you like to see them kick on a get a top-half finish this season after a few seasons in the bottom half? How important is Paul Mullin to their success?

KK: “Wigan will be gunning for promotion. That’s what the signing of Paul Mullin means to me, and I’m sure promotion will always be the target for the club because that’s how Wigan think. I think Ryan Lowe is a good appointment. He did a good job at Preston for a while. However, he is a slightly defensive manager, which I think inevitably cost him that job.

“I think he is doing a good job at Wigan now, and a playoff spot will definitely be his target for the season. It’s all about momentum and keeping your good momentum up for as long as possible. Every team has bad moments of form in the lower leagues, but you need to make sure that you capitalise on your good form and get out of your ruts faster than teams around you.

“Paul Mullin is a fantastic signing for Wigan, and if they get him into the goalscoring form he demonstrated at Wrexham, then they will fly up the table. He has a fantastic personal profile, one that no player of his level has ever built before, considering he has never played Premier League football.

“Wigan haven’t had a superstar like that in a long time, and if they are going to get promoted, then their superstar is going to have to produce. He is an incredible goalscorer in League One and I think he will be brilliant for Wigan.”

A big thank you to Kevin Kilbane for all of these really interesting insights! And on the subject of the Premier League, check out our free Premier League bingo cards!