Killie out to pinch our spot
Graeme Shinnie admits Kilmarnock are now serious contenders to steal away Aberdeen’s four-year crown as best of the rest.
Now the Dons have to stop Steve Clarke’s men in their tracks if they want to retain their status.
The sides meet at Rugby Park this afternoon with Killie unbeaten in six while Aberdeen have yet to string even back-to-back victories together in the league.
It’s a stat the Dons skipper knows has to change soon.
Shinnie said: “We have to see Killie as rivals for our position – look at what they did last season and how they’ve carried it on.
“The were good against us in September, albeit we went down to 10 men.
“They’ l l be up there challenging, so it’s a game we’re desperate to win.
“We’re hoping for a consistent run now, coming off the back of beating Rangers last weekend in the League Cup semi-final.
“That gave us momentum and we dealt with Hamilton well with a 3- 0 home win in midweek.
“But it was weird – we came off the park against Accies and someone said: ‘ We’re still in eighth place.’
“I don’t think I’ve ever been in eighth place since I got here. It’s strange.
“Livingston and Killie started the season well and they’re the teams we now have to look to catch.
“We’re only two wins away so if we can beat Killie we’ll gain three points on them.”
Dons coped well with Rugby Park’s artificial pitch last term when they won three times at Ki l l ie , including a Scottish Cup penalties triumph.
Shinnie said: “I don’t like astro pitches but there are a number now in the league and you get used to them.
“The pitch at Rugby Park won’t cause as a problem – the Killie players will give us more to worry about.”