Now it’s personal
Slater: Killie have to stay up for fans
FOR Craig Slater, this is personal. The thought of relegation, of letting down so many people, is almost too bleak to contemplate. Every shred of energy will now be invested in avoiding that outcome.
Four years ago, Kilmarnock gave Slater the opportunity he needed. After an unhappy spell in St Mirren’s youth ranks, and various training spells elsewhere, he found the right environment to flourish at Rugby Park.
Scotland Under-21 recognition followed, largely because he was gaining invaluable experience of playing Premiership football.
But for how much longer? This defeat to Championshipbound Dundee United, albeit unwelcome, was simply the second of two meaningless fixtures to close the regular season. Now come two that could hardly carry greater significance.
Slater (right) and his colleagues stand on the brink. Fail over the two legs of their Play-Off Final against Falkirk and they will have ended Killie’s 23-year residency in the top division.
At just 22, Slater wasn’t even born the last time Rugby Park hosted secondtier football. But he is still worldly enough to know the financial consequences of getting it wrong over the next six days would stretch beyond the dressing room. ‘I’ve been here for a good few years now — I know what it means for everyone to stay up,’ he said. ‘Everyone is doing their utmost to try to do that — I certainly am. ‘There are too many people behind the scenes that do a great job and don’t deserve for the team to go down. ‘We can’t let the fans down either. We know the severity of it now — there’s no point in lying, we need to produce over the next two games. ‘I’d like to think that, for every game, you’d go out there having that extra edge. But when it gets to this stage now — trying to stay in the league, which is massive — this club is too good to go down. We’ve got to stay positive. We’ve got some good players in the dressing room, some strong characters, so it’s about getting together as a team and working hard.’
Making judgments about their readiness to face Falkirk on the evidence shown against United would be unwise. Boss Lee Clark rested several first-choice players, including Kris Boyd and Josh Magennis.
Slater was one who played and will surely do so again in Thursday’s first leg at Westfield. Whatever the personnel chosen, he is adamant only strong hearts will survive.
‘It is going to take big characters in the play-offs,’ he said. ‘And you’ve got to have confidence — these fans come and pay money to see you play and everyone should be fighting to keep this club up.
‘If you are out there not wanting to take the ball and hiding, then you shouldn’t be playing. I’m not saying our players are hiding — but if they are going to hide, then there is no point in playing.’
After their late triumph over Hibs, Falkirk have real momentum.
In contrast, Killie have won just one of their last five matches.
‘We need to remember we are the team in the top league, so if we take the game to Falkirk there’s no reason we can’t win both games,’ argued Slater.
‘They are a hard-working side, so we need to match that and more.’
Mark Durnan headed United in front early on before Kallum Higginbotham and Tope Obadeyi gave Killie a half-time lead.
Clark then withdrew Conrad Balatoni and Lee Hodson to avoid any risk of second yellow cards.
In the final 17 minutes, Simon Murray scored twice before teenage substitute Harry Souttar headed home his first goal for the club.
The 17-year-old insists making a name for himself at United is more important than any comparisons with his older brother.
Stepping up from the youth ranks was something elder sibling John managed to great effect, playing 73 times for the club before joining Hearts earlier this year.
‘I don’t feel any pressure following John,’ insisted Harry. ‘But there will always be a comparison.
‘I just want to make a name for myself and do well.’