Dyer: I know what we need

ALEX DYER insists he’s the man to turn around Kilmarnock’s fortunes – if he is appointed the new Rugby Park manager on a permanent basis.

The defeat by Motherwell continued Killie’s poor run of results, with only one win from their last nine games.

And Dyer, installed as interim boss after Angelo Alessio was sacked during the week, remains the bookies’ favourite for the job.

He said: “The players have been excellent, they always work hard and are a good bunch of lads who want to do well for the club.

“It’s different being No.1 than an assistant but I didn’t do much differently.

“I still took the warm-up, spoke to the lads the same way but I didn’t try to do anything differently other than giving the team talk and summarising the game at full-time.

“I know what I need to do if I get the job or don’t.

“What we’ve done in the past has served us quite well and just because we’ve had a few bad results doesn’t mean we need to change everything.

“The guys work hard every day and it will turn for us, without a doubt. Whether that be against St Mirren or Rangers.”

Kilmarnock pressed hard for an equaliser but could not find a way past an inspired Mark Gillespie.

The 27-year-old produced two excellent saves to deny Eamonn Brophy after 81 minutes and then Stephen O’Donnell late on.

Gillespie has continued to impress since coming in to deputise for Trevor Carson, with the Northern Ireland international still consigned to a place on the bench.

And Well boss Stephen Robinson said: “I expected him to make those saves because Mark is a very good goalkeeper and he has to be to keep Trevor out the side.

“We’ve got competition for places now and people know they can’t rest on their laurels. Players can’t down tools and expect to play.

“Mark O’Hara came in and he gives me another selection problem. We’ve got a decent squad and need to keep pushing because we can’t take anything for granted.”