Walker wants to get up and running in 2023

Kilmarnock v St Mirren

KILMARNOCK goalkeeper Sam Walker has challenged his team- mates to build on their victory over Aberdeen by picking up another three points against St Mirren today.

The second- tier champions recorded a 2- 1 win against Aberdeen last Wednesday evening that was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggested and allowed Derek McInnes’ side to glance up the standings for a change.

Five points separate Killie in ninth and St Johnstone in sixth, while the Ayrshire club enjoy a four- point cushion between themselves and Ross County in twelfth place.

Kilmarnock returned from the World Cup break with a defeat to Hearts but a 2- 2 draw with Motherwell and last week’s win over Aberdeen have left Walker feeling good about his side’s chances ahead of their encounter with St Mirren this afternoon.

He said: “We had a look at the first four games after the break and we were disappointed with our first- half display at Hearts when we lost, and we were also unhappy with the first 45 minutes at Motherwell, although we came back from two down to get a draw with 10 men. So we felt we really owed it to ourselves and the fans to put it together for the entire 90 minutes, which I felt we did on Wednesday.

“Now we have another home game and Rugby Park seems to be treating us really well this season. Opposing teams aren’t enjoying coming here while we’re really enjoying the home games, especially with the support we have here.

“St Mirren is another really important match for us. After that, we go into a tricky little spell of fixtures – we have league games away to Celtic and at home to Rangers – and a Viaplay Cup semi- final against Celtic at Hampden sandwiched in between.

“With those matches against the big two coming up next, it would be great to take all three points [ against St Mirren]. A clean sheet would be nice as well.”

Former Killie midfielder Greg Kiltie, meanwhile, has targeted a regular starting slot at St Mirren in 2023 after agreeing a two- year contract extension with the Buddies.

Kiltie, who joined Saints from Kilmarnock in June 2021, has made just five starts in the cinch Premiership this season and ahead of the game against his former club today hesaid: “I would probably like to start a few more games, if I am being honest. But I have been about the squad and played most games so I can’t really complain too much. But if there was going to be one thing, that’s what I would pick.

“But the squad is really strong and the competition in the squad – it’s not as if it is bad players who are starting ahead of you. “As long as the boys on the pitch are doing the business then that’s all that matters.

“Everybody who is not playing is grinding away behind the scenes and pushing the boys who are playing.”