We don’t want a sore bottom if season is called
Dyer warns Killie stars not to get complacent in top six
KILMARNOCK might be in the top six but boss Alex Dyer admits his prime concern is making sure his team doesn’t slip to the bottom – in case the league’s called early. The Rugby Park gaffer is well aware Hearts were relegated with eight games left last season as they were sitting bottom when the music – and the campaign – stopped. And he reckons the only way to avoid that kind of stress is to keep picking up enough points to steer clear of 12th spot, starting tomorrow against Ross County. Killie have suffered three straight 1-0 league defeats but while Dyer reckons those losses to Hibs, Rangers and St Johnstone have been harsh, he knows a win against the Staggies is vital. He said: “My target, in this climate, is to make sure we are away from the bottom just in case anything happens during the season with the pandemic. “After what happened to Hearts last year you have to be mindful of that. “That’s why it’s important that you aren’t down near the bottom because you don’t know what could actually happen and what rules could come into play.
“We will do our best to stay away from there. We’re back in lockdown so you have to be careful in terms of what you do.
“It’s important we do the best we can for Kilmarnock and win as many games as we can to stay near the top half, away from the bottom.
“It will be down to hard work and maybe some good fortune.”
Killie have picked up two Betfred Cup wins against Clyde and Dumbarton since their last league outing but Dyer knows County will be stiff opposition.
He said: “The boys who played in the cup, they needed the games, 90 minutes under their belt to get up to speed. With all the training we do, there’s nothing like playing.
“There isn’t a reserve league so we can’t get games on so we train hard to the max but it’s never the same as a game.
“They’ve played well but we know the teams, no disrespect to them, are not at the level we have been playing at.
“We had three straight league defeats but before that we were doing well. We played Rangers, St Johnstone and Hibs. They were difficult games.
“We aren’t conceding many goals, but we want to get back to scoring league goals and winning games.
“Everyone keeps believing we can do something and if we keep up the hard work then, hopefully, we’ll be okay.
“I never take anything for granted and people say you should win this game or that game, you can’t think that way.
“Of course you want to win and do all your preparation but this is a tough league and anyone can beat anyone on their day.
“We have to believe that come Saturday we can get back to winning ways but it certainly won’t be easy. We are at home and hopefully we can get all three points.
“Ross County are a good side and they started the season well. We know it will be tough on Saturday, they never make it easy for you as they have good players.
“Being at home it is for us to make it work for us and we have to be the ones who are aggressive and play to the best of our ability.
“Every team wants to make sure they win their home games and make it a fortress and we are no different.
“It is difficult and having no crowds makes it a leveller. We go out to win every game, no matter who we are playing, we always want to win and that will never change.”