OF OUR GAMES THIS CAMPAIGN ... THAT’S NOT RIGHT

October 25.” Dicker makes his return against Celtic tomorrow after a two-match ban for his challenge on Hearts’ Callumn Morrison at Rugby Park.

And Clarke said: “I won’t be asking him to watch his tackling.

“We play the way we train – we train hard and are competitive.

“Gary’s experienced enough to know how to handle himself on the pitch. I don’t think the tackle merited the red card but we’ve moved on from that hopefully.”

It’s his defensive crisis that’s causing most concern – seeing Clarke joke about having to pull on the boots again at 55.

Killie face the prospect of having just one fit centre-back in Kirk Broadfoot for Celts’ visit.

Clarke said: “Stuart Findlay hasn’t trained all week and is very doubtful. I was hoping for good news when I came in and didn’t get it. Scott Boyd has a virus – he didn’t train either – and Greg Taylor’s still suffering from a knock.

“It’s possible the defence will have a strange look about it. I have my boots ready – that would be a strange look! I’m hoping Scott will get over his virus in 48 hours and he’s better and available to play.”

Killie have won two and drawn one – and goalie Jamie MacDonald reckons it could have been a better league start if decisions had gone their way.

On his gaffer, MacDonald said: “I don’t think he’s said anything out of order, it’s just frustration that I think all managers have. That’s what has been dominating in the media – the decisions of the referees and judicial panel.

“It’s just part of football, you get some and you don’t. The manager is frustrated. We’ve had a not bad start but it could have been so much better if decisions weren’t going against us.”