Derek McInnes admits he’s relishing five crucial clashes as he bids to keep Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.
The Ayrshire side lifted themselves four clear of bottom-placed Ross County with a fine 2-0 win at St Mirren – but they still lie 11th, in the relegation play-off spot, heading into the post-split games.
Rugby Park boss McInnes is full of confidence after a spirited performance on the road and remains focused on keeping Killie in the league.
He said: “It was a big performance that we needed. I am gutted it took us so long to win away from home.
“But if you are going to start winning them then now is the best time to do it.
“It means we are going into these post-split games on the back of winning away from home which is important.
“It’s important for the supporters but also the players. It gives them that shot of belief, beating a good team like St Mirren.
“I can’t wait for the head-to-heads now, I am really looking forward to having a scrap with the teams round about us.
“I think the performance on Saturday certainly won’t do us any harm. More of the same is required and we need to kick on from that.”
He added: “It meant so much to the fans – you could see that.
“It was a significant day – it was a year to the day since we won the league – and we used that in the build-up to show how hard we worked to get here.
“This is a Premiership club. Apart from one year, we’ve been in the top flight for almost 30 years. It’s our responsibility to make sure that continues.”
Meanwhile, Kilmarnock learnt their post-split fixtures yesterday.
They will kick-off their final five fixtures away to Motherwell on Saturday, May 6 before home games against Livingston and St Johnstone (May 13 and May 20).
It’s then a midweek trip to Dundee United (May 24) before a season finale at home to Ross County on Sunday, May 28.
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