Rory McKenzie knows how important Kilmarnock Football Club is to the town, and being a local lad he knows how devastating relegation would be.
The winger has been part of two great escapes already for Killie – one in 2014 and one in 2016.
Being from Ayrshire, he knows how vital it is his side don't drop out of the Premiership, and with McKenzie being contracted for another year he knows he'd have to suffer the consequences if they go down.
Ahead of the clash with Dundee tonight, he said: "It's not the position we want to be in but we need to deal with it.
“It’s a pride thing as well. You don’t want to be part of that team that gets Kilmarnock relegated – especially myself as I stay locally. I’d have to face it. I’m still going to be here as I’m contracted until next year.
“Nobody wants us to go down. I meet people every day and, two years ago, it was all about how well we were doing.
“It’s different now and I’m not stupid, I know what they’re going to say but don’t try to tell me it doesn’t mean as much to me as it does to you.
“We’re all hoping for two good results now and, speaking on behalf of the rest of the boys, I can say we’re all up for it.”
McKenzie was a key member of Lee Clark’s side that staved off the drop against Falkirk five years ago and was also in the side that won at Hibs on the final day in 2014 to condemn the Leith side to the play-off and then relegation.
Composure was key on those occasions and will again be the case against Dundee this evening.
McKenzie said: “That was a big day [2014], the first time I was involved in it. It was different as it was in our hands. We did what we had to do and stayed up.
“It’s more the Falkirk game that means we know what’s coming. We went into the second leg a goal down. Gaz [Gary Dicker] and [Greg] Kiltie did well that day so we’ve boys here who have experienced that. It will stand us in good stead.
“There’s a lot riding on this for both teams. It will be the same anxious feelings going into the game.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
