Kilmarnock

BBC Scotland's Martin Dowden talks through Kilmarnock's deadline day deal for Kevin van Veen.

Listen to the full episode of the Scottish Football Podcast here.

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Kilmarnock defender Lewis Mayo has his eyes on a Scotland call-up, but says he must first continue to play at a high level for his club.

The 23-year-old signed on a permanent basis from Rangers last summer, and has been instrumental for Derek McInnes' side this season, who currently sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

When asked if playing for Scotland was a realistic short-term aim, Mayo said: “I would love it to be. It is not up to me to decide.

“It is just about taking it week by week and just try to get the best out of myself at Kilmarnock.

“For me personally, I just want to keep my place in the team, keep pushing myself, try to be as consistent as I can, try to continue to improve it and you always give yourself that chance.

“I obviously was lucky that when I was a young player, I got in the youth teams of Scotland. So the A squad is the natural next step. And that’s something for me just to keep plugging away at.

“I’d love to go and make that leap and get myself in a squad. But I do that by doing my best at club level and see what happens.”

Mayo, who also had previous loan spells at Partick Thistle and Dunfermline, noted it has only been five years since the Rugby Park club finished third, under Clarke, when quizzed about the possibility of a European spot.

He said: “I keep coming back to it but it wasn’t long ago Kilmarnock finished third and got European football. I think everyone here wants to taste that again.

“Looking at the table, we’re in a healthy position and we’ll get a lot to draw confidence from the start of the season.

“I think the first stage is to get to the top six before the split, that’s got to be a big goal for us.

“And then from there, we can reset again. Look at the last few games of the season and go let’s go again. Let’s see how high we can go.”

Killie fans, now that the January window is closed, how would you assess the club's transfer business?

Just how excited are you by the capture of Kevin van Veen?

Have your say here.

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It's finally official...

Kilmarnock have confirmed the loan signing of Kevin van Veen from Eredivisie side Groningen.

The former Motherwell striker - who scored 29 goals in all competitions last season - will join the Rugby Park side on loan until the end of the season.

Derek McInnes has been talking all window about adding a striker - he's now got van Veen and Greg Stewart to compete for places with Marley Watkins and Kyle Vassell as his side eyes European football next season.

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Jonathan Sutherland, BBC Sport Scotland

Kilmarnock are set to seal a loan deal to sign Kevin van Veen for the rest of the season.

After a duel with St Mirren for his signature, the Rugby Park club have won the race to sign the Dutch striker who scored 29 goals for Motherwell last season.

Following a disappointing spell in the Netherlands with Groningen this season, Van Veen has now opted to spend the second half of the season in Ayrshire.

Killie currently sit in fourth place and will be hoping that their new frontman can boost their prospects of playing European football next term.

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Jonathan Sutherland, BBC Sport Scotland

Kilmarnock are interested in a transfer deadline deal for Kevin van Veen.

The Dutch striker was a huge hit for Motherwell scoring 29 goals last term before returning to his homeland to join Groningen.

However, there is also reported interest in a return to Fir Park, as well as a potential switch to St Mirren.

Can Killie win the race and snap up the second top-scorer in last season's Premiership?

We asked what transfer business you would like to see from Kilmarnock on deadline day, and how you would rate the club's January business so far.

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

Anon: With Deas injured we might be a bit short in defence. I think the one position McInnes is still looking for is the elusive number nine. He was pretty adamant in the press conference no-one was leaving. We need to hold on to Danny Armstrong - that would be better than signing another player.

Neil: I’ll be happy as long as Danny Armstrong is still with us when the deadline passes. Killie have been clear all along though that it would take a lot to let him go. Our loan deals have been positive too, in both directions.

Grant: This January window has been excellent. Nobody leaving except for a couple of fringe players on loan, GMS signing on until the summer, Greg Stewart returning, and James Balagizi in on loan from Liverpool. If that’s the business done them I’m pretty satisfied. If another comes in to add to the squad then great, but it's already been a good solid window from McInnes.

Anon: I think we're pretty much there. The only thing I'd add would be another body at the back - probably on loan. The big hope will be keeping the players we do have - specifically Armstrong and David Watson.

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• Motherwell are unbeaten in four home league games against Kilmarnock (W3 D1), winning both of their last two.

• After their 1-0 win in November, Kilmarnock could win successive Scottish Premiership games against Motherwell for the first time since December 2018 (run of 4).

• Motherwell have won just one of their last 18 league games (D8 L9), a 3-1 victory over Livingston in December. The Steelmen had won three of their opening four league games of the season before this (D1).

• Kilmarnock have lost just one of their last eight league matches (W4 D3), although this one defeat came in their last away match (1-3 v Rangers).

• Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong has created more chances (68) and more big chances (17) than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season. He also has a league-high 6.8 expected assists in the division this term, while only Luis Palma (9) has more assists than him overall (8).

Killie fans, what positions do you think need to be targeted before the January transfer window slams shut on Thursday, and how many incomings would you like to see?

Also, how would you rate the business done to this point?

Send us your thoughts here.

With Hibs entertaining St Mirren in the capital, Kilmarnock have the opportunity to widen the gap from their closest rivals in the race for Europe.

A win at Motherwell would be a big boost to their top-six prospects, but they are struggling on the left side of defence without the suspended Corrie Ndaba and the injured Robbie Deas.

How does Derek McInnes solve the puzzle? Pick your team here.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes says a conversation with Scottish FA referees chief Crawford Allen has left him "even more disappointed" with the decision to send off Corrie Ndaba in the 2-2 draw against Hibs last time out.

Ndaba was initially booked for his challenge on Jair Tavares, but the yellow was upgraded to red after referee Grant Irvine was advised by VAR Nick Walsh to consult the pitch-side monitor.

“I was disappointed at the time (of the sending off) and that is still the case,” said McInnes.

“I had a conversation with the refereeing department on Monday and I was even more disappointed after that conversation because of the take on it. They felt the decision was right, rather than a mistake.

“We totally disagreed on the reasons. Without going into it too much, it was more the exiting of the tackle but at least we had the conversation.

“My feeling is that we have to remind ourselves and re-set what VAR was brought in for.

“The referee is three yards away, he is in the heat of the battle and he’s seen it for what it was, a yellow card. I didn’t think it was a yellow card.

“If Corrie gets yellow carded and the game gets played out, there is no one from the Hibs end, or the media, commenting that it was a ridiculous decision, 'why didn’t VAR get involved', 'why wasn’t it a red card?' I think they have made it a thing by getting involved.

“Let the referee referee the game. He’s seen it for what it was. Give the referees more autonomy and more responsibility.

“I think it was wrong for VAR to get involved. We haven’t appealed it. I didn’t think there was any real point.”

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership trip to Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• McInnes says Killie are still trying to sign one more player, but insists no-one will be leaving Rugby Park.

• Has spoken to Scottish FA referee chief Crawford Allen about Corrie Ndaba's red card in the 2-2 draw against Hibs, but was left "even more disappointed" by the conversation.

• McInnes says there is no point in appealing against the decision, and wants there to be a review of how VAR is used: "We have to remind ourselves and re-set what VAR was brought in for."

• The former Aberdeen manager backed his "pal" Barry Robson to "bounce back" from his Pittodrie sacking, and says he was disappointed to hear the news.

• Defender Robbie Deas will be out "for the next few weeks" after an operation on a facial injury he sustained against Hibs. Will Dennis is in contention to return to the squad.

Sandy Armour, Killie Hippo fanzine

There are some fixtures in the Premiership that have no great appeal as you know the opposition is simply going to spoil rather than go head-to-head.

That is never the case when we face Hibs who play on the front foot although that does leave them vulnerable at the other end of the pitch.

With that in mind, it was no surprise to see the teams share a four-goal thriller, even if VAR once again tried to ruin proceedings. I could harp on every week about how much I hate it, however if Ndaba's tackle merited a red card we'd be as well making football a complete non-contact sport.

Generally when you give up a two-goal lead, it's a clear case of two points dropped but a point apiece was fair over the 90 minutes. We can complain about the ridiculous red card, whilst Hibs missed a sitter to win it in the last minute.

We travel to Motherwell this week, the Steelmen may be struggling just now but Fir Park is a notoriously difficult venue for Killie. It would be good to see Greg Stewart and James Balagizi get some game time and maybe they might just inspire us to a rare win in Lanarkshire.

Jonathan Sutherland, Sportscene presenter

It's that man again.

Although Saturday's meeting with Hibs ended in a disappointing draw after being two goals up, Killie fans can take some solace in another sparkling display from Danny Armstrong.

Both home goals came from exquisite deliveries from the winger, who still leads the way as the Premiership's chief chance creator.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes told BBC Scotland: "After the first 20 minutes, we were very strong. We finished the first half in a good place. We scored a few good goals, could have had another.

"Joe Newell's goal has come out of nothing. It's an unbelievable goal. I could see it develop, and it's an unbelievable finish. It gave them hope and inspiration that they might get something.

"The game changes on the red card. I'm disappointed with the decision. I can only assume the referee and VAR have seen a worse angle than what I've seen.

"Corrie's won the ball, he's not high, his foot is low. I was frustrated when the referee gave a yellow card. I don't think there's anything else he can do with his foot after he's won the ball.

"Nick Walsh is one of our best referees, so he must have seen a different angle. Grant Irvine is three yard from the incident. He has a chance to assess it.

"It's so disappointing that from a winning position, VAR has played it's part in us only getting a point.

"I'll commend my players. It got a bit chaotic. We changed the substitutions. We just had to make it out of there with a point and the players' effort made sure we got that."

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Did that feel like a point won or two dropped, Killie fans? Did you think that was a nailed-on win, or were you chewing your fingernails by the end?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Andrew Petrie, BBC Sport Scotland

For the majority of this game, Hibs dominated possession and territory. But Kilmarnock showed more willing, more fight, more grit - until it all went wrong.

The goals came from nothing, simple crosses that Hibs didn't defend well. Armstrong still had to send those crosses in, both absolute peaches.

The problem for Kilmarnock is thus - they have now lost 11 points from winning positions in the league - only Dundee have lost more. They should be far more comfortable in fourth.

Ndaba's red card will infuriate Derek McInnes, and his teammates. A borderline yellow, he got the ball first but then caught Jair on the ankle with his studs.

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Danny Armstrong. Given his ability to create something from nothing, he is always dangerous.

Hibs gave him two opportunities to work the ball onto his left foot, and he took full advantage, setting up both goals with brilliant whipped deliveries.

A word of praise to Matty Kennedy, too. Despite playing on opposite wings, the two widemen work together well and Kennedy is getting back to near his best.