KILMARNOCK manager Jim Jefferies has set his players two targets in their final two games of the campaign – to finally escape from the relegation dogfight and to secure eighth place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
The Rugby Park outfit are almost clear of the relegation mire, following their 2-1 midweek win over St Mirren, as they sit four points above the bottom club.
With Falkirk and Saints facing each other today, Kilmarnock require a point against Inv
erness to ensure safety.
While Jefferies wants to secure SPL survival, the Killie manager has set his sights on achieving wins in the final two games to clinch eighth place, as that would improve his budget for next season.
He said: "We're still cautious because we don't think we're out of it yet. We know football is a game with twists and turns and we need another point. But we have to be positive and we'll go for the three points.
"We've got ourselves in eighth position now and if we can stay there then it's worth a lot more money than ninth of 10th."
Jefferies believes the signing of Kevin Kyle during the January transfer window has been crucial to his side's survival bid. Kyle has scored seven goals but six of those have come in his last three appearances and Jefferies knows just how vital these have been.
He said: "Kevin is now fitter. When we took him, it was a little bit of a gamble because he hadn't played for a few weeks after going back to Coventry following a loan spell at Hartlepool. So it took a few weeks to get him fit and we had to give him time to adjust, although he got off to a great start scoring against St Mirren. But we always felt it would take him a few games as he didn't know this league.
"Kevin has turned out to be terrific for us. We've got him for next season and we've got to make sure we'll be in the SPL because he has potential to get 20 goals-plus. But we've got to get a team round about him that create him opportunities to score goals. He's given everyone a lift because we know if we put it in the box, we've got a chance as the big man is a handful.
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Kilmarnock have lost their four previous meeting with Inverness in all competitions this season but Jefferies insists those results will count for nothing when the sides meet at Rugby Park.
He said: "It's a different scenario now. We've had four games against Inverness this season and three of them have been up there. The one game we had against them at Rugby Park, we gave them two goals of a start but we battered them in the second half and missed a penalty in the last minute to get a draw. So we're due a turn against them. What's gone on in the past doesn't matter.
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Meanwhile, Roy McBain has worked his way back into Inverness boss Terry Butcher's first-team plans and hopes to use the relegation run-in to secure a new deal. The 34-year-old has played a pivotal part in the Caley Thistle engine room of late, helping the club remain unbeaten in their post-split matches, which leaves them needing just a win to secure their top-flight status. McBain will be granted a testimonial if he is around next season, but the veteran is happy to be playing on a regular basis.
He said: "Until the day I stop playing I don't think I'll stop learning new things, you never stop learning which could increase the longevity on your career and Terry Butcher's helped me out.
"The gaffer's explained contract talks are on hold until we are safe and I'm no different. I'm not in any rush and will take each game one at a time starting with Kilmarnock where hopefully we can get a result."
The full article contains 673 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
