Derek McInnes issues Kilmarnock rallying cry ahead of Dundee Utd clash
Killie sit 11th in the Scottish Premiership heading into the weekend but could potentially move as high as eighth with a win.
Derek McInnes has called on Kilmarnock’s fans to stick with the team as they get set to face Dundee United on Saturday night.
Killie sit 11th in the Scottish Premiership heading into the weekend but could potentially move as high as eighth with a win.
McInnes has revealed that a productive team meeting was held between the staff and players on Tuesday this week, as they look to get back to winning ways in Ayrshire.
The 53-year-old also detailed an explanation from Willie Collum over Hearts’ opening goal at the weekend and provided an injury update, but was coy on transfer activity.
Here is every word from the manager’s presser…
Looking at the squad, how's the injury list looking?
“Still no certainties about anybody coming back, but we're hopeful that Brad Lyons will be back, which is great news, obviously Brad's been a key player.
“Potentially Rory McKenzie, although we haven't seen him out training this week, he's been doing a wee bit of work with the physio.
“Matty's been progressing, but the game's going to come too quick for him, unfortunately for us, and it's a real bore and frustration for myself that he's not back in contention.
“Robby McCrorie had his operation on Monday, which went fine, so there's a process to go through there.
“Stuart Findlay's still out longer term, and there's Innes Cameron still out longer term, and Vass.”
What's the frustration with Matty in terms of how long it is taking?
“It just takes as long as it takes. The physio's over, trying to navigate the whole process.
“Obviously, back trouble impacts so clearly on anybody, but a professional athlete has got to be able to move and function and be dynamic, so we're trying to build up that resistance, confidence really in Matty to take that step forward.
“I think if you look back to where he was two weeks ago, sometimes you need to remind yourself that although he's not quite there, he's progressed quite a bit for there.
So, we’re hoping that certainly for the next time out against St Johnstone, obviously we've got a free weekend next weekend, that we can probably get some work into him.
“I think he could be in contention to be ready for St Johnstone, but two weeks ago I was hoping he'd be ready for this one, and he isn't, so that's why I'm frustrated.”
And Lyons coming back in would be a big boost?
“Yeah, Brad's been brilliant, obviously, I think in the last 18 months or so. He's been great, become really relevant to the team, a big influence on the team, became an internationalist, and obviously we were disappointed to not have him last week.
“That said, despite the difficulties and injuries, I thought we deserved to get something for the game last week.
“I spoke to the head of the referee on Monday, Willie, and an apology for the first goal that was given against us.
“It should have been given for offside, and it's good that there's an honesty and admission of that, but it's not good enough because it's not as if it was subjective.
“We've seen refereeing decisions this weekend, where it's still been subjective and it comes on the referee, but the fact that VAR doesn't get involved in that, that's protocols and procedures that should be, by this time, how long VAR's been going, should be a prerequisite, fundamental, that the attacking phase of play should be checked, and if it's checked properly, as it should be for every goal, I can’t for the life of me understand how they've not given offside there.
“I've spoken to Willie and that's been confirmed, and it's, again, so disappointing.”
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Did you get an apology or an explanation?
“It's not up to Willie to apologise, because it's not his call, but I think the explanation was, my version of events was how he saw it as well.
“It was a private call and I don't want to divulge it - I don't want to spoil what he has with managers, but I think we had a real case for that goal to be disallowed.”
How easy or hard has it been to pick the boys up after the weekend result?
"We had a good meeting on Tuesday. We had an honest discussion because we felt there was a couple of mistakes.
"Mistakes happen, there was a mistake for the second and third goal. And there was a mistake from the officials for their first goal.
"But in terms of still trying to be positive, we have to be positive, there's no doubt about it.
"We feel that the performance in itself, the shots, shots on target, corners, pressure, good bits of play at times, for a performance at Tynecastle that would normally get you something from the game.
"With nine games to go before the split, we've still got so much to play for. It's still there for us and we've got to keep hanging on to that.
"We're two wins shy of where we were this time last year. This time last year with nine games to go we picked up 18 points and we got to 51.
"We thought 41 would get us top six last season. I think Dundee got in on 41 points.
"So, 41 points is still attainable for us. We've got, I think 15 or 16 points to win to give ourselves the best chance.
"Saturday gives us a chance to get three against a team who haven't beaten us this season. Equally, we haven't beaten them this season and we feel there's an opportunity there for us just to be as positive as we can.
"We've got injuries, clearly that's not going to change and dramatically change things.
"But we feel we've got the performance in us to go and rack up a few wins between now and the end of the split.
"And if we can get enough then we want to still try and be that top six team. It's important that everybody believes in it.
"I ask the supporters to turn up and get right behind the team on Saturday.
"As I said, we're two wins shy of where we were at this stage last year and we want to have an unbelievable end to the campaign. It's important for us to try and use everything we've got here at the club.
"There's no point in moaning about injuries. I can't be bothered with that.
"I can't be bothered with that acceptance of anything other than let's roll our sleeves up and dig deep and go and get the results for the club. Because I genuinely feel this can still be a positive campaign.
It’s got a big game feel to it, Dundee United, with it being on a Saturday night. It’s a bit of a novelty here.
"I'm looking forward to it, to be honest. It's a Saturday night game. We had one recently at Celtic Park and it was a bit unusual with the time with it being neither an afternoon nor an evening game.
"But I think being at home, hopefully, will generate some excitement.
"I think United obviously have been in decent form. They'll bring a good travelling support.
"And the fact it's on TV I don't think will deter our fans from coming to the game and wanting to be here.
"We've not had too many Saturday games at home. So even though it's a bit later, I still think most supporters would rather that than a Sunday game.
"So I'm looking forward to it. Nonetheless, we've just got to try and be positive from the outset.
"Hopefully the performance is good enough. We've definitely got enough in the dressing room to go and get the few wins we're hoping for, and I believe we can."
What is making Dundee United so tough to play against this season?
"They don't take a lot of risks. When you analyse United, I think they've got a good goalkeeper and a really good number 9.
"Sometimes at both ends that can be a difference. A good goalkeeper can get you a point when maybe that's not quite the case otherwise.
"And strikers can get you three points or a point. And Dalby has proven to be a brilliant signing for Jim.
"We're all looking for those ones that can come along and make the difference, those difference makers.
"It's too simplistic to say they've got a really good goalkeeper and a really good number 9. I think Jim's recruited well, but I do think they don't take a lot of risks.
"They're a team who minimise the mistakes, they minimise the risk to the game.
"They're happy out of possession, they're comfortable to be a good counter-attacking team.
"And I think knowing that they've got Dalby at the top end of the pitch, and one or two others who've come up with big goals for them, but the onus is on Dalby to get the goals for them.
"I think they know they've got goals in them, so the games can be tight and the games can be a bit mundane, and not a lot going on in the game.
"But they still have enough and I think there's a confidence that comes with that.
"They feel they've got a goalkeeper that can keep on sheets, and a system that helps them do that, and they've got threats and counter-attacking threats."
What are the chances of adding any new faces before the game?
"I wouldn't have thought so. We would like to, but it's difficult. There's not a lot going around to have that luxury.
"I genuinely feel, if we can get our players back and have our full quota of players, I wouldn't be looking to do anything.
"We would like to be able to react to the injuries that we've got to key players. But that said, I'm not sure that's going to be the case."