Career
He is currently a Rangers youth coach. Kirkwood made his name with Dundee United, where over 400 appearances saw him clinch the title and two wins, alongside five domestic cup runners-up medals. After a short spell with Hibernian and similarly short return to United, Kirkwood moved to Dunfermline, before finishing his career with Dundee.
After Ivan Golac was sacked in 1995, Kirkwood was appointed manager of Dundee United.
Kirkwood could not prevent the Terrors from being relegated to the First Division. In the following season, Kirkwood guided United to a play-off victory and promotion back to the Premier Division.
He was then sacked six games into the 1996-1997 season and replaced by Tommy McLean, who would lead United to third place. Kirkwood had a short caretaker manager role with Street Johnstone in 2001, after Sandy Clark was sacked.
He has also held the assistant manager position at Dundee, Dunfermline and Street Johnstone, and coaching roles with Livingston and Rangers.