Derek McInnes Q&A: Watson's resilience, chance for Deas & a nod to McCoist

The Kilmarnock gaffer spoke to the media to preview this weekend's away game at Dundee.

It was press day at Rugby Park, so I joined my media colleagues for Kilmarnock’s weekly media commitments.

Derek McInnes and Robbie Deas spoke to preview this weekend’s game away to Dundee.

We spoke to the gaffer away from the cameras after his broadcast conference.

Here’s every word of what he had to say…

How is Stuart Findlay?

The scan result came back on Tuesday and he’s got a little bit of a tear in his calf, but we’re hoping it’s going to settle for the weekend. He hasn’t trained but he is feeling better.

Liam Polworth also has a calf strain but he managed to stay on with his.

Stu isn’t ruled out for Saturday, but we’re hoping for him to do a bit of work on Friday in order for him to travel and be part of the squad.

Better than first feared?

Totally. Stu has missed one game since I signed him. I think he missed one game at Dundee with a slight tightness in his hamstring and we never took any risks.

Every other game he’s been available for me. He’s never not been fit. He’s been a mainstay for us.

On top of Joe’s [Wright] suspension, then if he doesn’t make Saturday it leaves us a wee bit light there but obviously we’ve got a squad for a reason.

I thought Deasy [Robbie Deas] did well when he came on and was part of a very strong performance which we felt should’ve been three points.

We were left devastated by the fact that it was such a strong performance but we ended up on the wrong side of it.

Great opportunity for Deas to stake his claim given he’s been out of the team for a while

He’s started four or five games out of the 12 games prior to Saturday with the European involvement, and he was suspended for the first game of the season.

Even if Stu does make it that’s not to say Robbie won’t play, especially with Joe [Wright] suspended at the minute. There’s a bit of a void there and these positions are up for grabs.

Deasy is one that, over the piece, has brought a good level of performance to us and he’s somebody that we trust.

We’ve got seven defenders effectively that can play across that back four or three. When everybody’s fit it can sometimes look like we’ve got one or two too many but there’s not really that downturn in quality. They’re all pretty much on the same level and each can bring something different.

Pleasing for Bobby Wales & David Watson to get more Under-21 call-ups?

It’s great for them – I know how important it is for both. Davey was a bit frustrated that he never started either of the last two games in September. I was a bit surprised too given that he started nine games out of the 12 we’ve had, so he’s playing regularly.

Hopefully, he’s done enough. Certainly, Saturday helps his case.

Bobby was delighted to get on and get involved. Hopefully, he can start to establish himself in the squads with Scot [Gemmill].

I think he’s doing particularly well at the minute. He can play in two or three different positions. He can play at number nine or 10. He’s actually a bit between a nine and a 10, and he can off a side, so he’s fluid enough that he doesn’t need to be pigeon-holed in one position.

Davey is a proper running number eight. He’s going to have a good career, there’s no doubt about it. I’ve been around the game long enough to know when you see a good player, somebody who is responsible and going in the right way.