WRIGHT SLAPS DOWN HUGHES
KILmaRNoCK boss Tommy Wright has accused Ross County counterpart John Hughes of trying to influence referees.
Wright also brushed aside comments from Hughes on Killie ahead of today’s relegation battle at Rugby Park.
County travel to ayrshire with a one-point advantage over their hosts and Hughes claimed the pressure was on Kilmarnock because they were at home.
‘I don’t really listen to John too much because he probably talks too much,’ said Wright. ‘our focus has been on ourselves. maybe he should focus on his team.’
Last month, County beat Kilmarnock 3-2 in Dingwall during a three-game run when Hughes felt his team had conceded penalties that should never have been given.
and this week he claimed inexperienced referees get Premiership games involving the smaller clubs as he welcomed the appointment of Willie Collum for today’s clash.
‘maybe it’s referees that have caused Ross County to be where they are,’ said Wright. ‘I think he is maybe trying to influence referees.’
asked whether he was taken aback that Hughes had tried to bait someone as experienced as he is with his comments, Wright replied: ‘Nothing surprises me in football. We’re just preparing as best we can for a tough game. our aim is to get the three points.’
Then again, Wright can afford to be calm considering the impressive form new signing Kyle Lafferty has been in. The 33-year-old arrived shortly after Wright succeeded alex Dyer in February, having been released by Serie B club Reggina.
Before he made his first start six weeks ago, Killie had lost eight matches in a row, scoring only two goals during that sorry sequence. In the four games since, they have found the net nine times, with Lafferty claiming six goals and assisting in another three.
‘Kyle has done exactly what I wanted him to do,’ said Wright. ‘He has hit the ground running, which was so important for us. He’s a big influence on and off the pitch.
‘He’s lifted the players around him and they’ve responded well to him. Kyle is enjoying his football and we’ve tried to make him feel as welcome as we can. I think we’re seeing the benefit of that.’
meanwhile, County striker Billy mckay is determined to enjoy the Premiership relegation battle after hitting a purple patch with five goals in his last six matches.
‘You have to embrace the challenge, come into your work every day and enjoy it,’ he said.
‘You could come in a bit scared and worried about what’s going to happen, but that won’t get you anywhere.
‘You have to be excited for every game and we are. We can’t wait for this game.’
mckay, who has seven goals in total this season, added: ‘It’s great to be back playing first and foremost. It’s been a long, hard season for me but I have started to enjoy it now.
‘I am back in the team. I am scoring goals and, hopefully over the last five games, I can continue to do that to help the team get out the situation we are in.
‘There is a huge togetherness around the club. I feel we are pushing in the right direction and we are going to be safe.’