Kenny Shiels has received plenty of praise for the way his team play football and following an initial struggle to combine this with winning matches, results are now impressive. Credit is to be given for storming into a three goal lead against Celtic, even if they faded, and the goalless draw when we visited Rugby Park in summer was one of our hardest games this season. Kilmarnock seem very likely to claim a top six place with their eyes wandering on to even bigger prizes further up the table.
No goals at Rugby Park in July
From our point of view we must simply try to maintain our current form. A good debate can be had whether the players and staff should be bullish or modest about our chances of a high finish but Stuart McCall is right that we can take on only one game at a time. We can do nothing about our poor Old Firm record this weekend, nor can we strike another blow against one of the bigger city clubs. All we can do is attempt defeat Kilmarnock and that is likely to be challenge enough.
The defence, still missing Saunders and Hutchinson, is just one more injury from disaster but presently seems solid. The midfield currently picks itself and though Higdon receives his fair share of criticism, he probably contributes more to the team unit than his individual skill suggests. Murphy scored again last week following a handful of games when he didn’t get his name on the score-sheet and that should boost his confidence. Meanwhile, McHugh and Daley offer options from the bench.
This is likely to be a close fought game but with both sides trying to play football it has at least the potential to be entertaining. However, it is also possible both teams will simply cancel each other out and if we emerge on the right side of a 1-0 score-line we will have every reason to be delighted.
Remember the last time Killie visited?