Burke hoping to pull off another great escape act

CHRIS BURKE already carries memories of one dramatic escape from the drop. However and whenever it happens, he is convinced Kilmarnock now have what it takes to do the same.

Tommy Wright’s side must defeat Championship-bound Hamilton on Sunday and hope Ross County lose to Motherwell if they are to avoid a relegation play-off against either Dundee or Raith Rovers.

It’s a high-stakes scenario. And one Burke enters knowing that it sometimes takes until the very last seconds of a season to get the job done.

Seven years ago, Birmingham City were on the verge of relegation to England’s League One. Burke was part of the side that travelled to Bolton and saved their skins in the 92nd minute of their final Championship match.

‘We needed to get a point to stay up and we did so,’ recalled the 37-year-old winger.

‘It was actually another Scotsman, Paul Caddis, who scored a header at the end to keep us in the Championship.

‘So I’ve been there. I know what it’s like. I know what it takes.

‘Hopefully I can use that experience to help the group a little bit. I don’t think it will help that much because I know these players here have enough in their locker, enough experience and enough intelligence to know what’s at stake in the game on Sunday.

‘I’m not telling any lies when I say the group is still confident. I’ve been in groups before that are a bit down and you can tell they sense the pressure.

‘But this group is not. We are still confident. No matter what, we knew we had to go to Hamilton and win. We’re looking forward to the game on Sunday and I’m sure Hamilton will also.

‘But there is pressure on other teams as well. Ross County still have to go to Motherwell, who are in great form.

‘They want to get that seventh place and finish as high as they can. To secure that, they need a win. So it’s not just Kilmarnock who will be under pressure on Sunday.’

Whether their fate is determined this weekend or in the play-off, Kilmarnock’s chances of staying up are immensely improved by the form of Kyle Lafferty.

His double in Wednesday night’s frantic 3-3 home draw with St Mirren lifted the Northern Ireland striker to 12 goals from ten appearances since signing in February.

Previously team-mates at Rangers, Burke is acutely aware of Lafferty’s big-game credentials but stresses he is not the sole threat within the Ayrshire armoury.

‘We also have Greg Kiltie,’ added Burke, reflecting on the superb volley Kiltie netted against Saints.

‘He’s come into great form himself. It’s probably the one full season he’s had at Kilmarnock in my time here.

‘It’s not just Kyle who can score goals. I can score goals, Mitch (Pinnock) has shown it and so have players off the bench.

‘Kyle is an important part of this group but he knows himself that he needs the whole collective team to make him perform well.

‘In saying that, his two goals against St Mirren were terrific. That’s predator instinct. Especially the second one. It was a great delivery from Calum Waters, but to make sure you arrive and get it on target with the ball at that pace is an incredible art to have for a No 9.’