Tommy Wright is sure his players can handle the pressure heading into one of the club’s most important weeks ever.
Kilmarnock currently lie in 11th place – but two wins from their last two will ensure they aren’t relegated automatically and will give them a fighting chance of leapfrogging Ross County should the Staggies fail to win either of their final two ties.
Wright knows his side can only focus on their own jobs rather than relying on other teams doing them a favour.
The Ayrshire men face St Mirren in the Premiership tonight before heading to bottom-placed Hamilton Accies on Sunday for a season finale.
And after working with the players since February, he is sure they can do what it takes to stay in the Scottish Premiership.
He said: “If Ross County win their two games, then they’ll finish above us, which would leave us in the play-offs even if we won both of our matches – and I think there’s every chance County will win their last two.
“We’ll just concentrate on trying to beat St Mirren and then see where that takes us. Our aim is to win all six points, which would at least take Hamilton out of the equation and force Ross County to get two victories. But the focus is, as usual, on the next game.”
He added: “We need to be positive but also realistic because we’re not in a good position. But it’s important to have a positive attitude and we’ve tried to do that since we came in. You can’t think too hard and long about the consequences if you don’t win – the main thing is to prepare to win a game of football.
“I hope the players can handle the pressure but, like any manager, I won’t know until the whistle goes on Wednesday night.
“But this isn’t a squad where we’ve ever had to go in and pick them up: they’ve always had energy and a good appetite for work.
“We’ll prepare them physically and make sure they’re in the right frame of mind but, ultimately, it’s the players who have to go out there and deal with whatever comes along.”
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