Locke uses Hibs heartache to spur Killie into action
GARY LOCKE has warned his Kilmarnock players they must heed t he warning of Hibernian’s decline last season and drag themselves clear of a previousl y unthinkable relegation.
There are sufficient parallels between the current situation at Rugby Park and what happened at Easter Road 12 months ago to sound alarm bells.
Both clubs spent a fair chunk of their respective campaigns striving for the top six, only to miss out as form began to fail.
And, like Kilmarnock in recent times, few at Hibernian were seriously contemplating the possibility of being dragged into the play- offs when the split arrived.
Yet Terry Butcher’s side picked up just one point thereafter to set up the two-legged tie with Hamilton which ultimately sealed their demotion.
Fast forward to the present day and Kilmarnock have lost six on the spin ahead of tonight’s trip to face 11th-placed Motherwell.
Should another defeat arrive at Fir Park, then just three points will separate Locke’s men from that perilous play-off slot with two games remaining. Victory would, however, ensure another season of Premiership football.
‘The warning is there from what happened to Hibs last season,’ said the Rugby Park manager. ‘You never saw that Hibs would get dragged into it last year — but they did.
‘We have got to make sure we don’t. The good thing is that it is in our own hands. I’d rather be in our position but we need to make sure we start winning games because the run we have been on has not been a good one.
‘A few weeks ago, we were in a position where we didn’t look as if we were going to get dragged into it. It is important we stick together, grind out a result and make sure we are not putting ourselves under any further pressure for the final two games.’
Even a point would surely keep Kilmarnock safe, given their superior goal difference. Locke, though, will strive for the win that has eluded him since being elevated from interim manager to three-year appointee early last month.
‘When I was interim manager, we went eight games unbeaten,’ he said. ‘Now we have gone six without a win. That is just football.
‘We have had a few injuries, which hasn’t helped us. I never like making excuses but all of ours have been in the back four, so we have had to field a couple of players out of position.
‘At the same time, these boys that come in know we have to do better. And we can start by getting a result against Motherwell.’
Locke was relegated last season when in charge of Hearts, although they would not have finished bottom of the table without the 15-point deduction imposed for entering administration.
‘The relegation with Hearts last year is different to the situation facing us here because there were a l ot of circumstances that contributed to us going down,’ he said. ‘But, even so, you don’t want that on your CV at any time.
‘And you definitely don’t want two relegations back-to-back on there, either. We are working ever so hard to try to turn it around.’
While Kilmarnock are waking up to the stressful reality of a potential play-off, Motherwell have long been attuned to that prospect.
Recent games have been branded ‘must-win’ in terms of hauling themselves into the salvation of 10th place, only for two defeats and a draw to follow.
This, then, is unquestionably a case of pouring a large one in the last-chance saloon.
‘There’s no hiding place now,’ admitted manager Ian Baraclough. ‘There are no different equations. We must win or we’re pretty much in the play- offs. But there’s no reason why we can’t go and win the next three games.
‘Knowing the effect it could have on Kilmarnock if they don’t pick up the point they’re after, that puts massive pressure on them knowing they have two games to follow.
‘One win could flip the whole situation around, which is why it’s good you’re playing teams around you. It can drag others into it.
‘That must be on Kilmarnock’s mind. Maybe this has taken them by surprise, or perhaps the doubts have been growing. Maybe that’s why they’ve not been getting the desired results. But for us it’s quite simple now. We need to win.’
Baraclough revealed he is likely to watch Rangers’ trip to Queen of the South tomorrow evening, building up his scouting knowledge in case the late escape fails to materialise.
Motherwell’s Josh Law may also tune in to watch elder brother Nicky in action, although a good result for his Rangers side may provoke some mixed emotions.
Nicky revealed recently that he was lined up to be best man at Josh’s wedding in New York this summer. But it just so happens they fly out on June 1, which could be a mere 24 hours after going head-to-head for a top-flight place if Motherwell and Rangers contest the play-off final.
‘I think it would be even worse for our family, to be honest,’ said the Fir Park man.
‘I haven’t played against Nicky competitively, but I would imagine it just becomes another game when you are in it because you are not really thinking about anything else. It will be tougher for my mum. I don’t think she’ll be watching that one.
‘I’m getting married in Central Park. I’m not one for big crowds or the like, so it will just be close family heading over there with us. Nicky is my best man, so it could be awkward. But, hopefully, it doesn’t come to that.’