Three key questions for Kilmarnock over the international break

It's a chance for the manager to get some work done on the training ground and get players back - but what will Derek McInnes be focusing on?

Most would agree the international break has come at a good time for Kilmarnock.

While trips to Bruges, Tromsø and Copenhagen will live long in the memory for those lucky enough to attend, it’s hard to argue the case that two games a week has taken its toll on the squad.

That’s not something that is unique to Killie, as we’ve discussed before - last season’s European representatives outside of the Old Firm managed four wins, three draws and 10 defeats collectively in the matches after their combined European fixtures.

Then, of course, a quick look at the table will show last season’s third and fourth-placed teams in 11th and 12th, with fifth-place St Mirren down in seventh.

Derek McInnes will be grateful most of his key men are not involved with their national teams over this break, giving the manager a chance to get down to some proper work on the training ground as well as giving some tired legs a rest.

With no wins from the first four Premiership games though there are clearly things to iron out - here are some key questions to answer over the break.

What’s the story with Robby McCrorie?

McCrorie made no secret of his Scotland ambitions when he made the move from Rangers, and though he had to withdraw from the squad to face Poland and Portugal due to a hip injury he’s clearly a player Clarke has his eye on.

That said, Kieran O’Hara has international ambitions of his own, having been capped twice by the Republic of Ireland, and has performed well since stepping in.

The goalkeeper didn’t cover himself in glory on Joe Newell’s flukey opener on Sunday, but he’s been impressive otherwise.

If McCrorie is fit for St Mirren on September 14 will he start?

One imagines he was given guarantees about being number one when he made the move from Ibrox, but O’Hara hasn’t done much to warrant losing his place.

Who starts up-front?

Let’s not beat around the bush - Sunday’s draw with Hibs was a pretty awful spectacle.

Killie didn’t deserve to lose, but they certainly didn’t deserve to win either.

That said, they certainly had the chances to do so and much of the discourse will centre around divisive captain Kyle Vassell.

A look at the expected goals (xG) data via StatsBomb gives an indication of the issue.

An early leap comes around the 10 minute mark when Vassell missed a barely believable chance, knocking the ball across the goalline and into the waiting arms of the ‘keeper when if he’d just let it hit him he’d have scored.