ASH AND JOE ADD BOUNCE FOR McINNES

ASH TAYLOR has warned Premiership strikers they won’t be getting past him and Kilmarnock new boy Joe Wright as the giant pair will be like nightclub doormen.

Rugby Park boss Derek McInnes snapped up the 6ft 4in former Doncaster Rovers man Wright after a trial at Hearts and he could pair up with 6ft 5in Taylor at the back.

The 27-year-old was chucked in for a quick-fire debut in Wednesday night’s Premier Sports Cup shootout defeat to Patrick Thistle but Taylor is confident the back door will be shut when the league gets up in running in a few weeks. The defender said: “It was a bit like me, coming straight in to a game against Partick.

“He’s a good lad. He’s vocal straight off the bat, so I’m looking forward to playing with him. He’s a big lad as well, just about the same height as me – we’re a couple of bouncers!

“It will be nice to play alongside him. He’s a good size and comfortable on the ball. I was pleased for him coming in and doing well.

“We’re a big side and it will make us a threat at set-pieces. Hopefully myself and Joe can add goals when we go up this season.”

The clock is ticking for Killie as McInnes chases new faces but Taylor is confident his manager will bolster the squad ahead of the new campaign.

He said: “There’s going to be new faces coming in and they need to get used to the way we are and the way we play. I’m sure more will come in and help us.

“There’s a lot of the players still here from last year and the team spirit is still there. I’m sure the gaffer will want to add to it with good characters.

“I’m sure he’ll bring in the right types of players.”

Killie have been handed a brutal start to the Premiership season with five of the top six up in the first few weeks including back-to-back clashes with the Old Firm.

But Taylor said: “There’s no better way to start. We are being thrown right in to the fire.

“I’m sure we’ll be right at it by the time we get to the league campaign and there will be a few new faces as well.

“We’re looking forward to those games and getting going in the Premiership again.”