Kilmarnock

Derek McInnes says achieving top-six football would be "brilliant" after his Kilmarnock side saw off Aberdeen.

Were you at Rugby Park as Kilmarnock continued their charge for Europe?

Wherever you followed the action, we want to know what you made of your side's comfortable win over Aberdeen. Are you already looking out your passport?

Let us know.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes told BBC Scotland: "I thought we were good value for the win. It was tough at times. I thought we had some really strong performers throughout the team.

"My two wide players were terrific. My front two really lead the line. I thought we were pretty comfortable. We could have scored a goal more. It continues the strong home form and the fact we've only lost one in 14. There's still work to be done.

"It was a big performance at Celtic Park last week. You see the strength of the bench, I feel like I'm not searching for the answers. It's just keeping everyone healthy and focused.

"The objective at the start of the campaign was to be strong through the cups and improve our away form. It's important we maintain our form rather than just hope we've done enough at this stage - that's the biggest danger to us.

"Getting into the top six would be brilliant for everyone connected to the club given where we were two years ago. It would mean an awful lot and that's what we're working towards."

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Sean McGill, BBC Sport Scotland

For years and years, Kilmarnock fans cursed Derek McInnes' ability to constantly get results at Rugby Park. As Aberdeen manager, he didn't lose a single game in Ayrshire.

Now, thanks to McInnes sitting in the opposite dugout, the tide has well and truly turned. They've now beaten the Pittodrie side three teams this season without reply, and are making the kind of charge for Europe that their opponents demand.

The excellent recruitment conducted in Kilmarnock this term continues to bear fruit, with summer signings Corrie Ndaba and Matty Kennedy making their mark on this occasion.

Having lost just twice in home comforts this league campaign, and now on a run of one defeat in 14 games in all competitions - which came away at rampant Rangers - their pursuit of European football grows stronger by the week.

Matty Kennedy's career had appeared to have stalled at Aberdeen, but back at his boyhood club, the winger is reminding everyone of his talent.

His goal here matched his tally over three years at Pittodrie. The winger is rapidly becoming one of Kilmarnock's most important players.

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Kilmarnock are unchanged from their dramatic draw at Celtic Park a week ago, meaning injury-time hero David Watson remains on the bench after his late goal against the champions.

The wait for Kevin van Veen's first league start goes on as the Dutch striker is named amongst the substitutes.

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Kilmarnock: Dennis, Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Ndaba, Armstrong, Donnelly, Polworth, Kennedy, Vassell, Watkins.

Substitutes: O'Hara, McKenzie, Watson, Balagizi, Murray, Davies, Stewart, Mackay-Steven, Van Veen.

Aberdeen: Ross, Devlin, Gartenmann, Jensen, MacKenzie, Shinnie, Barron, Duk, McGrath, Polvara, Miovski.

Substitutes: Doohan, Clarkson, McGarry, Hayes, Phillips, Sokler, MacDonald, Milne, Hoilett.

Image source, PA Media

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes says "there is a real respect for his longevity" as Saturday's trip to face Neil Warnock's Aberdeen brings back memories of the infamous "Battle of Bramall Lane".

McInnes was West Bromwich Albion captain as their English second-tier game against a Sheffield United side managed by Warnock ended in chaos in March 2002.

The home side had three men sent off - substitute Patrick Suffo was dismissed for headbutting McInnes, who had earlier scored.

And, when two players went off injured at 3-0 down leaving United with only six players, referee Eddie Wolstenholme had no option but to abandon the game, with McInnes' side subsequently awarded a 3-0 win.

McInnes recalled that he and his team-mates had their own boss, Gary Megson, to please.

"From my point of view, I remember that day being one of relief just winning the game because me and my team-mates went to Cheltenham (races) on a day off and I was more worried about the wrath of my manager," he said.

"He said he would forget us being out midweek if we won at Sheffield United and thankfully we did that and it was a big win for us and a brilliant season.

"We went on to win promotion that year and that was another step along the way."

Saturday's trip to his former club will not be the first time McInnes has met 75-year-old Warnock since that controversial day.

"It really is some feat to keep going and keep the fires lit for management because management is tough for all managers, young and old," he added.

"I came across Neil when I was at Bristol City and I met him a couple of times coming up from London when he was coming up to his place in Dunoon.

"And I had a couple of conversations regarding players, he tried to sign a couple of players over the years, the most recent one was Jonny Hayes [at Aberdeen]."

Neil Warnock says his Aberdeen side are the "underdogs" in Saturday's match at Kilmarnock.

The Dons interim boss urged his players to "show what they're made of" when they come up against fourth-place Killie, who are unbeaten since 2 January and 10 points better off than Aberdeen.

"They will put us under enormous pressure, they know what they're doing, they've got great wide players," Warnock said.

"You know you are going to be under pressure all the time but we need to make sure their players are under just as much pressure as ours.

"They have only lost one in 13 and that was against Rangers so it shows what we are up against.

"I don't think many people will be putting money on us this weekend but I do like being the underdog.

"The lads are going to have to show me what they're made of tomorrow because you can't go there and just lay down.

"I am hoping they give a good account of themselves. I can always put up with a defeat if they're giving me everything."

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• Kilmarnock have won both of their two league meetings with Aberdeen this season, as many as their previous 31 against the Dons beforehand (W2 D5 L24).

• Since a run of 16 league visits to Kilmarnock without defeat from May 2012 to December 2020 (W12 D4), Aberdeen have now lost both of their last two away to Killie, going down 2-1 in December 2022 and 2-0 earlier this season.

• Kilmarnock have lost just one of their last 11 Scottish Premiership home matches (W6 D4), and are unbeaten in their last five (W3 D2), scoring exactly two goals in four of those last five matches.

• Aberdeen have lost both of their last two away league matches (2-0 v Hearts and 2-1 v Rangers), and could lose three consecutive league matches on the road for the first time this season.

• Derek McInnes last faced Neil Warnock when McInnes’ Bristol City side lost 3-2 to Leeds United in September 2012 after goals from El Hadji Diouf and Michael Tonge for Warnock’s Leeds.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes wants to end an impressive campaign with a place in this season's Scottish Cup final. (Daily Record)

Click here to read Thursday's Scottish football gossip in full.

For the third time this season, Kilmarnock scuppered Celtic as David Watson's injury-time equaliser sparked celebrations in the away end last time out.

Derek McInnes' side look to strengthen their hold on fourth place when they welcome Neil Warnock and Aberdeen to Rugby Park on Saturday.

Who would you like to see in the starting line-up? Pick your team here.

Sandy Armour, Killie Hippo fanzine

Having watched Killie for more decades than I care to remember, there are far too many memories of travelling to Parkhead and Ibrox simply looking to keep the score respectable and with no belief that we can get a result.

That trend was bucked under Kenny Shiels and Steve Clarke, so I'm delighted that once again we look like we belong at the top table.

Our current position of fourth in the league is totally merited and our performance against Celtic on Saturday demonstrates that Derek McInnes has built a team capable of mixing it with anyone. Every single player can be proud of the part they played and on another day we may just have grabbed all three points.

Aberdeen are next up and with Neil Warnock on the dugout it won't just be the pies that are full of mince at Rugby Park this Saturday. It's always a tough match against them but we should be full of confidence and a wee win would do nicely ahead of our upcoming quarter-final at Pittodrie.

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Derek McInnes is "really building something" at Rugby Park, according to former Killie midfielder Stephen McGinn.

After finishing 10th in their first season back in the top flight, McInnes' side sit fourth having just claimed a point at Celtic Park.

"[Kevin] Van Veen and Greg Stewart came in in January but they've actually got a lot of young Scottish players, who they brought in from the lower leagues in Scotland," the Falkirk captain said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Guys like James Mayo, Robbie Deas, obviously gave David Watson a chance out of the youth system.

"Now all of a sudden you just look at their squad and you think, it's as good as anything out there, and he's really building something.

"He says himself he didn't love [last] season, it was all about just staying in the league. But I just think the recruitment and the opportunity to bring European football back to Rugby Park is something to be really excited about."

Jonathan Sutherland, Sportscene presenter

Two wins and one draw in four games against the champions this season is a sensational return for Derek McInnes' side.

Liam Donnelly was important for Kilmarnock in the middle, keeping Celtic's midfield at bay and also providing an attacking threat.

A strong defensive performance allowed the visitors to impose themselves at Celtic Park - with Killie registering more shots on target than Brendan Rodgers' side - and Lewis Mayo was a standout at the back.

We asked for your thoughts after Kilmarnock earned a point in their 1-1 draw at Celtic Park.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Anna: A hard-fought but well-earned away point today at Celtic. Even when Killie went 1-0 down they didn't panic, just dug in and frustrated Celtic and the boos at full time said it all. What a genius substitution bringing on young David Watson to equalise in injury time. That young lad has a brilliant career ahead of him, he'll go far.

Amy: More than deserved the point. In fact, we were the team pushing to win. That bounce when the Watson header hit the net was incredible. Celtic are rotten and Killie are flying. Weird feeling to leave Parkhead thinking we should have won.

Adam: Great result today, tactics and substitutions were spot on and so far this season it’s played four [against Celtic], won two, drawn one and only lost one. So, why not keep that up for the rest of the season? Well done, everyone.

Grant: Fair play to Derek McInnes, I wasn’t convinced with the line up pre-game, but tactically we were spot on. Obviously when you go to Parkhead you will have very little play and will have moments to defend but the goal aside, everything else Celtic threw at us was dealt with. Could have won in the end but absolutely delighted to leave with the point.

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David Watson feels his late header against Celtic secured a "massive" point for Killie as they bid for a European place next season.

The midfielder is no stranger to a goal in Glasgow's East End, notching up two in two appearances at Celtic Park this season.

With Derek McInnes' side consolidating fourth place in the Premiership, a spot that would guarantee European football next season.

"It’s a massive point, with the other results going the way they did," Watson said. "A point here is really good for us because it keeps us in fourth. There are two points in it [to fifth-placed St Mirren] so it puts us in a good position to kick on and try to get to Europe this season.

"We set up to go and attack Celtic. We’ve already beaten them this season so there’s no reason for us to be scared and not believe we were going to come here and get anything from the game.

"It’s amazing to score, it’s always good to score, even better when it gets us a point. It’s such a big point for us and could end up being a crucial point for us at the end of the season.

"That’s two in two now [goals at Celtic Park] so hopefully next time I come I can get another one as well."

Watson believes the bravery of the team, as well as the depth of the squad, is the key to their success - and says confidence is "flowing" at the Rugby Park side.

"I think we can aim for as high as we can possibly get," Watson said. "We’ve only had one defeat in the past dozen or so games so I don’t see why we can’t push on now.

"We’ve got such a strong squad, as you’ve seen today. All the subs made a massive impact when they came on. And the starting XI played really well, we were one down but always in the game, always attacking and making opportunities and the gaffer just set us up well today with a 4-4-2 formation.

"Going to Celtic Park, not many teams do that and we were brave and attacked as much as we could which paid off. There’s a lot of confidence in the team. We’ve not lost many games so I don’t see why we can’t go on and get as high in the table as we can. Confidence is flowing."

Were you at Celtic Park or watch Kilmarnock's 1-1 draw with the reigning champions elsewhere? Give us your reaction to result here.

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