GET YOUR DEAL DEAN
LEE McCULLOCH has challenged Dean Hawkshaw to prove he is worth both a place in the Kilmarnock side and a new deal.
Hawkshaw made his Killie breakthrough last term but was made to wait until last Saturday’s draw at Aberdeen to force his way back into action this season.
Rugby Park boss McCulloch rates the 20-year-old highly but insists he needs to see more consistency from the midfielder.
Now he wants Hawkshaw to win a fresh contract by being able to hold on to his first-team slot.
McCulloch said: “Dean has done great. He was out the team at the start of this season but has been around the first team for a few years.
“I’ve been emphasising to him now that he really does need to kick on and cement a place in the first team.
“He agreed with that. He’s a willing worker who has a great attitude.
“He’s out of contract at the end of the season and I’ve laid down a marker to him that he needs to earn himself a new deal.”
Hawkshaw’s introduction in place of injured colleague Iain Wilson helped turn last week’s Pittodrie clash in Killie’s favour.
And McCulloch hopes they can get off the mark when Dundee make the trip to Ayrshire today.
He said: “It was only a point but hopefully we can carry that on now.”