ON the face of it, Kilmarnock’s one-point haul from their opening two games could be enough to knock a few hours off Derek McInnes’ sleeping pattern. But that only tells part of the story.
The Premiership’s newbies have hardly looked out of place on their return to the top flight, fighting back to rescue a point against Dundee United (just days later the conquerors of Az Alkmaar) one week, and for so long holding off the advances of Rangers at Ibrox the next.
If Killie can continue to put in such fine performances, it won’t be long before they reap their just rewards with all three points. For Alan Power, their combustible midfielder, that first win would be just the start of the team’s ambitions.
“We’re not just coming up again to take part in the league and just be happy that we’re here,” Power said. “We’re going out and we came here to try and win the game.
“The performances have been good. I thought Dundee United was good and Saturday, in a different type of game, was also good. There are a lot of positives to take out of it.”
During a busy summer window, McInnes has wasted little time in adding the team that won the Championship on its penultimate day in such dramatic fashion.
Power, a stalwart of that Killie team which enjoyed an all too brief European fling, returned after a one-season Paisley odyssey, while Liam Donnelly, and Jordan Jones (also in a second Killie spell) added some much-needed Premiership nous. Throw in the loan additions of Lewis Mayo (from Rangers), Ryan Alebiosu (Arsenal) and Jeriel Dorsett (Reading) and there appears plenty of reason for the Ayrshire faithful to believe this won’t be a fleeting visit to the top flight.
“There’s been a bit turnaround of players,” Power, 34, said. “We’re working to get to know one another, but with every game we’re progressing, getting fitter and getting better.
“We are still building but building well.”
All that said about Killie’s reasons to be positive, things don’t get any easier for McInnes’ men. With last season’s fourth place (Dundee United) and runners up Rangers having already been ticked off the fixture list, the small matter of Celtic, champions for a tenth year in 11, lie in wait this weekend.
But Power, who played 84 minutes at Ibrox on Saturday, believes it has set them in good stead for when Ange Postecoglou’s men come calling.
“We enjoyed it [the game against Rangers],” said Power. “It was a tough run out for the boys. We did well for long periods in the game and 2-0 is a bit harsh. We crack on next week.
“I enjoyed working hard. The togetherness of the boys was good and we limited them to a few chances, had a couple ourselves. We take a lot of positives out of it and we go into the Celtic game confidently.”
Antonio Colak’s first Rangers goal finally undid Kilmarnock’s good work in Govan before Alfredo Morelos, returning for the first time since March, stepped off the bench to put some gloss on the scoreline.
And while it was hardly a vintage display from the 26-year-old, Power was keen to stress that was as much down to his rustiness as it was the performances of Ash Taylor, Dorsett and Joe Wright.
“Not when he came on. I know he scored but the boys handled him well. We know what he brings but he’s trying to get back to fitness. The centre halves were brilliant in dealing with their threats.
“It’s his first game back in how long? Of course he’s not going to be up to speed but it gives us something a bit extra to think about.”
