Lincoln City title winner Erik Ring has been the only Imp to move on so far this summer, and last night, he made his debut for Kilmarnock.
Ring was signed from AIK in the summer of 2023, but after showing some promise in his first season, he drifted from the first-team picture. Last season, after an injury set him back in August, he never managed to force himself into the first team picture, despite being your Player of the Month in November.
A late appearance at Port Vale perhaps summed up his Imps career, being in the right place at the right time to take a glorious chance, only to miss the goal with nothing but an empty net waiting. We all wanted Erik to score; he was a good personality, and yet as the ball sailed into the stands, it seemed like the final paragraph of his Imps’ career.
So it has panned out: he joined Kilmarnock in the SPFL, and while the 2026 World Cup still goes on in the United States, the 2026/27 season is well underway for some. European matches have already started with some former Imps in action, but this is the first competitive football for a player we applauded on the pitch at Reading last season.
They were in the Scottish League Cup Group Stage, playing against Raith Rovers. Elgin City and Peterhead make up the rest of the group, and it’s a lot like the EFL Trophy. I don’t mean nobody cares about it, I mean they have penalties if two teams draw.
Kilmarnock drew 0-0 with Raith Rovers, with Erik getting his first action after coming on as a substitute. He was joined by two other former Imps – Tyreece John-Jules played from the start, and Mark O’Hara came off the bench. In the end, Killie, of the SPFL, couldn’t find a breakthrough against their Championship opposition.
However, Erik did have a role to play. There was a precious bonus point up for grabs, and the Swede was involved in the penalty shootout. His spot kick was scored, ensuring his side grabbed the vital point that sees them go second in the group after the first round of matches.
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