Kilmarnock Preview
Last updated : 11 August 2005 By Firparkcorner
Considering our recent record at Kilmarnock it is fair to say we would be happy with a point. Kilmarnock lost their home game to Hearts but recorded a great win at Pittodrie – mainly on the back of a superb display of keeping from Alan Combe if the highlights were a fair reflection of the game. Our hosts are still clinging on to star man Kris Boyd and Steven Naismith looks like a goal scoring replacement in waiting, even if his style is different.
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Terry Butcher will be content to persist with the same team as last week but he will be delighted if Scott McDonald is fit and can return from injury. Jim Hamilton has made an excellent start to the season and he will be guaranteed his place up front. The other spot will go to Skippy if healthy but David Clarkson is probably safe in the side if the Aussie hasn’t recovered.
Graeme Smith could not have asked for a better debut for us last week and with the news breaking that Gordon Marshall is out for a good spell he has the chance to make the number one jersey his own. Colin Meldrum has been signed to a short term deal as a back up but Graeme will not have any immediate concerns about losing his place.
We have not won at Rugby Park since we triumphed there in the 2003 Scottish Cup 3rd round. Since then we have lost every match in Ayrshire and when you consider that the recent Kilmarnock side has been unspectacular – as well as below us in the league – this is disappointing. It will take a good performance to get something from the game but that is definitely not beyond us. We’ll be fairly happy to leave with a point though after a 2-2 draw.