‘Dyer has got Killie’s confidence levels back’
KILMARNOCK winger Chris Burke believes that Alex Dyer has restored the confidence of the Rugby Park side and has them looking a lot like the team who finished third last term under Steve Clarke.
Dyer assumed the Kilmarnock role in December after Angelo Alessio’s 22-game tenure was brought to an end. It followed a run in which the Ayrshire side won just once in eight games and had gone four matches without a victory.
Kilmarnock lost at the weekend to Hibs – a last-minute penalty call might well have changed that – but having taken nine points from a possible 12 in their last four games – including a memorable 2-1 comeback win against Rangers – Burke believes they are far more recognisable as a team.
“He is great [the manager],” said Burke. “He is calming, efficient, effective. He makes you believe in your ability and he is tactically aware. He has everything that a top coach and manager can have. I think he is relishing the opportunity because it is his first time being a manager.
“We know when we are not performing. He will tell you that. But in any walk of life it is about how you tell someone and get the best out of them. That is what he does. He gets the best out of every individual.”
Despite Sunday’s set-back, Burke believes that since the winter break Kilmarnock are showcasing the form that took them into a third-place finish under Clarke last term. And Burke is looking for an immediate response to the defeat to Hibs when Killie host Aberdeen tomorrow night in the Scottish Cup fifth round replay.
“We have to dust ourselves down and look forward to it,” he said. “It’s a massive opportunity to get into a quarter-final.”