The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
McInnes says point could prove crucial for top-four hopes
Derek McInnes reckons a hard-earned point in the goalless draw with Hearts could be a crucial moment in Kilmarnock’s quest to clinch fourth spot in the Scottish Premiership.
Despite making a bright start, Killie found themselves on the back foot for long spells at Rugby Park.
The visitors struck the woodwork twice during the first half, however could have been punished for their lack of cutting edge in the final minute when Marley Watkins forced a fantastic save from Zander Clark.
Kilmarnock remain in the driving seat in fourth place after continuing an excellent run of form that has seen them lose just once in their last 12 league fixtures.
“It absolutely could be (a crucial point), nobody has got a crystal ball, but it’s difficult to pick up points in the top six, particularly when the Old Firm are going for a title,” he said.
“It takes us up to 52 points, which is great shooting from my players.
“We set off at the start of the campaign to make sure we weren’t in the position we were last year, we then tried towards top six.
“We’ve been there for the majority of the season and have carried ourselves like a top-six team.
“Once we got that point at Tynecastle a couple of weeks ago, there was no real celebration from us – it was what’s next?
“Fourth spot is next and that’s what we’re working towards, we need to make sure that the focus is there to go on and finish the job.”
The Killie boss admitted his side did not reach their usual high standards against the Jambos, though praised their spirit for helping them grind out a point.
He added: “The beauty of working with this group of boys is there is a real competitiveness about them.
“We looked a bit leggy, two or three of our lads haven’t trained since we played at St Johnstone a couple of weeks ago.”
● Livingston kept their unlikely cinch Premiership survival bid alive for another week with a spirited 2-0 home victory over second-bottom Ross County.
The Lions would have been officially relegated if they had lost to the Staggies, but they dug deep to secure only their second win in 26 league games through an early goal from Bruce Anderson and a second-half penalty from Sean Kelly.
David Martindale’s side closed to within nine points of County and 10 of 10th-placed St Johnstone with four games remaining.