Kenny's men will give 100%

Mar 8 2013 by David Wren, Kilmarnock Standard

They might be out the cup but Kenny Shiels insists his side will not let their heads drop as the season ends.

Killie went crashing out of the Scottish Cup on Sunday losing two goals in the last ten minutes to go down 4-2 against Hibs.

Shiels admitted it was a real blow and said: “Individual errors cost us in the game, but we must now look to the next match against St Johnstone.”

Killie travel to McDiarmid Park on Sunday with a record of five games unbeaten in the league, but Shiels refuses to mark specific targets as we come to the end of the campaign.

He said: “We’ll give 100 per cent in the remaining games and see how far we can go.

“I think at this stage it’s about giving it a go and trying our best in the lead up to the end of the season. We can’t make any promises because we are very much in a development stage.

“If we come to the end of the season and we are in the top six then that will be great.”

Kris Boyd entered the fray for the first time on Sunday, coming on as a substitute on 85 minutes.

He was unable to have an impact on the game, however, and Shiels admits it was tough for the striker to make a difference.

He said: “It was hard for Kris to come on at that stage and in those circumstances and try to make something happen.

“He’ll get a full game for the Under-20s this week and that will be important for him.”

The Rugby Park men will still be without Rory McKenzie, Borja Perez and Manuel Pascali for the trip to Perth.

Ross Barbour will be available, however, because the red card he received against Hibs was in the cup rather than the league.

Meanwhile, Killie will face weeks of negotiations with nine first team players out of contract in the summer.

Ryan O’Leary has voiced his flattery at interest from Hibs but Shiels said: “We have nine players out of contract so I think it’s inappropriate to discuss just one.

“It is now a matter of negotiating with these players and we’re hopeful we can get them to stay.”

A win against St Johnstone will take Kilmarnock level on points with Steve Lomas’s men as the race for a top six spot heats up.

Tickets for the game in Perth are still available from the Killie Shop, priced at £22 for adults and £12 for concessions.

Under-12s also get in for free if accompanied by an adult.