WELCOME TO EL
ST MIRREN v KILLIE TOMORROW, 3PM GARY RALSTON
g.ralston@dailyrecord.co.uk
MOHAMED El MAKRINI has addressed an ugly truth about the beautiful game as he seeks to restore the reputation of Kilmarnock.
The Rugby Park club haven’t won in a month and are on a four-game losing streak as they bid to recover from the failed Angelo Alessio experiment.
Killie could even drop out of the top six before the winter shutdown if they fail to win at St Mirren and Livingston take three points at home to Hibs.
Dutch midfielder El Makrini wants a win at any cost in Paisley as they eye three points for the first time since beating Hearts 3-0 on November 23.
He said: “We have played quite well in the last two games but we haven’t taken anything which has been disappointing.
“We need results and we need to win and it doesn’t matter how we play against St Mirren.
“We must get that winning feeling back. We all want to play nice football but if we don’t play well and win we will take that.
“We don’t want to go into the winter break on the back of another bad result. It would make it a long few weeks and a bad break for us.
“Despite the results we are still in a decent position in the league. A win could do wonders for our confidence and that’s what we want to achieve.
“But we need three points against St Mirren. It is that simple for us now as the game is so important ahead of the winter break. It is vital we do it for our own confidence but also for everyone connected with the club, especially the fans.
“It would be nice to win some games again. Okay, it is never easy when a manager is sacked but it is part of football and we can’t let it have an impact on us as players.”
It was back to the Killie of old under Alex Dyer at Ibrox as they soaked up almost everything Rangers threw at them in the hope of hitting on the counter.
They were eventually undone by the sharpness of Alfredo Morelos but not before they had caused the Gers defence a couple of scares.
El Makrini added: “We kept a good shape and made it difficult for Rangers, even if we got lucky with some big challenges on a couple of occasions.
Scotland defender Stephen O’Donnell pulled a calf in the build-up to the Rangers game but is expected to be fit to face the Buddies.
Stand-in boss Dyer is none the wiser on his future after Alessio’s departure. He says he will not apply for the job but will consider it if asked.
In the meantime he is happy to help the club negotiate the January transfer window if he is still involved in first-team affairs.
He added: “If I’m here I will be involved and I have already been talking to them about transfers. I just come in every day and do my job.”
EL MAKRINI ON KILLIE’S BATTLE FOR TOP SIX