Kilmarnock

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Derek McInnes believes Greg Stewart will “fit right in” after returning to Kilmarnock for a second spell.

The 33-year-old forward could feature on Saturday's Scottish Cup tie against former club Dundee if paperwork is completed in time, after signing a deal until the end of the season.

McInnes told Kilmarnock's club media, external: “We are delighted to get Greg in, his eagerness to come and be a part of what we’re trying to do here is a big factor.

“He now joins the squad and will try and help us reach our objectives for the rest of the campaign.

“The fact he’s been at the club before means there’s a familiarity about it, he will fit right in.

“We are looking forward to try and get that impact we know he can bring for the rest of the season.”

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Kilmarnock have announced that Kian Leslie's loan deal with Clyde has been extended until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old winger has made 19 appearances this season for the Bully Wee, bagging two goals and five assists.

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Liam Polworth spoke to the media ahead of Kilmarnock's Scottish Cup fourth round game against Dundee. Here were his main points:

On Kilmarnock's season so far:

"Everyone is enjoying being around the place. When you are doing well and results are good, it brings confidence and everyone is happy to come in and happy to put in the work and just enjoying getting the results.

"Winning games breeds confidence and we try to take that into each game. December was a massive month, there was a lot of games. We done well to get through it how we did."

On Scottish Cup hopes:

"Every season everyone knows how big the Scottish Cup is, that is the main one, everyone is going for it. At the start everyone believes they have got that chance so everyone is looking forward to the game.

"We know we have a tough draw. Obviously a home draw is a massive thing in this competition so we are looking forward to it."

"Everyone expects the big teams in the country to get to your finals and semi-finals so we have already proved that we can beat them and hopefully we can get to those stages of the tournament and have that sort of shot."

On Gary Mackay-Steven:

"Everybody knows how good Gaz is, especially in Scottish football.

"When you see him out in training, he is brilliant, especially close up so he is going to add a lot to the squad, whatever the gaffer decides to play, he is definitely going to add, he is brilliant.

"There have been plenty (of clips), we watched some of them on YouTube before. He came up to Inverness when I was younger for a few weeks but it is different now, he has had such a good career."

On being at Inverness when they won Scottish Cup in 2015:

"I am sure at the start of that season we never thought we would ever win the Scottish Cup but it just shows, over the past 10 years, that things can happen and smaller clubs get the chance to win it and I believe we are a much bigger club than we were at Inverness in 2014 so it is a massive opportunity."

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Finally, the football is back.

The last time these two met just at the end of the year, it was a bit mad.

Can Kilmarnock get going in the cup? Pick your team to face Dundee here.

Rory McKenzie hopes to end his career at Kilmarnock as he approaches 400 club appearances. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip

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Andy Burke, BBC Sport Scotland

Derek McInnes says that football's tactical evolution means that there are fewer quality strikers to scout in the transfer market.

The Kilmarnock manager is searching for a goalscorer to add firepower as his side look to cement their top-six place in the second half of the season.

But McInnes - who typically plays with two up top - thinks the sport's shift to more line-ups with a lone frontman has damaged the talent pool.

"I think in every transfer window I've ever been involved in, I've been looking for a forward player," he said. "Everyone's the same, the whole league's looking for a striker.

"January is notoriously a month where clubs hold on to good strikers. It's tough to get them. Unless you're paying top dollar and you can afford to go in a knock doors and make people think twice, it's such a difficult month.

"With me growing up, it was always 4-4-2. There were twin strikers, there was an abundance of strikers. The last 15/20 years, everyone's switched to 4-3-3. A striker needs to do so many things. One of the last things they need to do is score goals.

"We play with a front two most of the time. Most academies have been playing with one striker. You're getting half the number of strikers.

"There is a dearth of number nines. Number nines aren't always good goalscorers, which is mad. There's always a place for a natural finisher. We're all a bit too critical of what a player can't do rather than what they can do."

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Andy Burke, BBC Sport Scotland

Derek McInnes has been talking to the media before Kilmarnock's Scottish Cup clash with Dundee on Saturday.

Here are the best bits from the Killie manager's press conference:

• McInnes heaped praise on his players and staff after he was named manager of the month for December.

• Killie are still on the lookout for a new striker, but McInnes stressed that teams are unlikely to part with a proven goalscorer in January so it’s a difficult window.

• Spoke about why there’s a dearth of strikers these days, with teams mostly playing 4-4-3 McInnes thinks there are fewer traditional number nines coming through, and says modern strikers don’t know how to play in a two.

• ⁠Brad Lyons will be out for 10 weeks with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Kyle Magennis has suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury. Both players have undergone surgery.

• McInnes is expecting another tight game against Dundee. The previous two gamesthis season have both ended in draws.

• ⁠Over the last 10 years or so around half the cups have been won by teams outside Old Firm. “Why not us,” asks McInnes. He wants Killie to “attack the competition”.

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Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has been named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for December, after an impressive run saw the Rugby Park side climb to fourth in the table.

Killie beat Celtic and St Johnstone at home, while also picking up victories away to Aberdeen and St Mirren.

“I was happy with our form in December, especially getting two wins away from home," McInnes said.

“I am pleased that we can reflect on good victories against Aberdeen and St Mirren on the road as well as those important wins against Celtic and St Johnstone at Rugby Park.

“The award is shared by my players and staff, recognising their efforts which sees us in a strong position at this stage of the season.

“I am enjoying working with a squad that is so full of motivation, but I still actually feel that there is a bit more to come from them.”

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Sandy Armour, Killie Hippo fanzine

My heart goes out to football fans everywhere who, over the last two weekends, have had to trek round supermarkets, redecorate the house or answer questions from the kids about when they'll get their Easter eggs.

The good news is the real stuff returns this Saturday as Tony Docherty brings his Dundee team down to the Theatre of Pies for a Scottish Cup clash.

If media reports can be believed, the Tayside club are at the front of the queue to sign former Killie star Greg Stewart, who has wound up his successful spell in India.

He was magnificent in his short spell at Rugby Park, so let's hope he doesn't sign this week then come back to haunt us.

The winter break is less than popular but it gives players like Brad Lyons, Kyle Magennis and Liam Donnelly a chance to recover from injury and fight for their place.

Our recent league game was a hard fought 2-2 draw and I suspect we will see another tight game, but I fancy Killie for an odd goal victory.

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The January window is a curious beast.

Notoriously tough to navigate, you never quite know what quality of player is going to stumble through the door and be thrust into the madness of a midway season. Sometimes, they're a revelation. Sometimes, they're rotten.

We're asking you to cast your mind back and tell us the best player Kilmarnock have signed in a winter window, and the January transfer that still gives you nightmares to this day.

Let us know.

We asked for your thoughts on Killie's summer recruitment, now we're halfway through the season.

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

James: Lewis Mayo has impressed most. Will Dennis in goals is a safe pair of hands, and Stuart Findlay has been a great addition. In truth our success is our back four and the goalie. We are hard to break down. We do need a goal scorer though - our wide players are great, but we don't have anyone in the centre to score.

Anon: Marley Watkins has to be our best signing so far this season purely because we’re so blunt at the top end of the pitch with Kyle Vassell not gaining any form all season. Honorary mentions do go to all our summer defensive signings of Mayo, Findlay, Dees and Ndaba.

Matt: The club are going in the right direction with Derek McInnes and his squad. The question has to be how Killie can convert good play into goals?

Gary Mackay-Steven has extended his stay at Kilmarnock after signing a deal until the end of the season.

The winger joined the Ayrshire club at the start of December on an initial contract into the winter break, but has now earned himself a place in Derek McInnes' squad.

While yet to register a goal or assist, the former Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and Dundee United player has shown flashes of his trademark skill, and his performance off the bench injected life into the Rugby Park side in their 2-2 draw with Dundee before the break.

The 33-year-old will be looking to build on his four appearances as Kilmarnock aim to finish in the top six and perhaps find a route into Europe.

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After struggling on the road for much of last season, Killie Hippo fanzine editor Sandy Armour believes Derek McInnes' side have overcome their homesickness.

Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, he said their first win away from Rugby Park this season - a last-gasp victory at Pittodrie - was a huge psychological boost for Kilmarnock.

"It [poor away form] was building up again," Armour said. "As you say, with the problem last season, it was building up again this season because we were progressing through October and November, [and we] still hadn't won away.

"It's the old monkey off your back. I think it was an absolutely huge relief. The performance, the game at Pittodrie - it's not a game to remember, I'm sure, for neutrals. However, it was a worldy for David Watson in the last minute that won it.

"I think that then takes a bit of pressure off them, if you like, mentally. And so they're going into other games like the St Mirren game, knowing that they've already won away from home, they can do it again.

"That was a problem for a long time last season. That's no longer an issue this season. And as you see, our home form continues to be strong.

"It's all very positive at the moment. And I think the wee break, as much as we're in a good bit of form, I'm sure every club will benefit from getting a few players back with the extra wee break. I'm very much looking forward to the cup against Dundee when we start back."

• Kilmarnock's mid-season report card: Subscribe and listen to full episodes of BBC's Scottish Football Podcast

Killie fans, with the season on pause for the winter break, we want to know which of the club's summer additions has impressed you most this season and why.

Get in touch about the club's transfer business here.

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Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell says Kilmarnock must hold on to their best players if they're to continue their progression.

The 37-year-old - who put in a man of the match display in the League Cup final victory in 2012 - has been impressed by the togetherness and quality displayed by the Rugby Park side this season.

"I think Derek McInnes has brought a lot of belief to his squad," Bell told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"First and foremost, they work ever so hard in a game. I've watched them a number of times this season. If you play for Derek McInnes, you need to work hard, no matter what position you play on the pitch.

"But also what they've got is quality. They've got good quality within the squad. They've got a strong squad and a bit of depth there as well.

"Again, they went to Ibrox and had a number of players you probably would have expected to start on the bench. I know young Watson came on quite early in the game but again they've got players that are replacing these guys, Donnelly, Polworth, guys that have played a number of games in the top flight.

"So they've got real strength and depth in the squad but I really do just believe it's that momentum and belief that Derek McInnes is bringing to the club.

"But they've got some really, really good and talented players and that's why I said before it's key that Kilmarnock keep these players at the club as well. That's the big job for the board going forward.

"You have Danny Armstrong, you have Matty Kennedy. David Watson is a young, quality player. They need to keep these players at the club if they want to progress."

• Kilmarnock's mid-season report card: Subscribe and listen to full episodes of BBC Scottish Football Podcast

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Amy Canavan is joined by former Rugby Park goalkeeper Cammy Bell and Sandy Armour of the Killie Hippo fanzine to discuss the Ayrshire club's season so far.

Listen to the full episode here.

Sandy Armour, Killie Hippo fanzine

After the hectic festive period the players will be using the winter break to rest their weary limbs and reflect on a good season to this point, with Killie sitting fourth in the table.

Despite the defeat at Ibrox we put up a fighting performance, and the outcome may have been different had we taken our gilt-edged chance at 0-0. With no match to preview this weekend it seems like the prefect time for a mid-season report card.

Season so far: 8/10

After steering clear of relegation last season I think most Killie fans felt we recruited fairly well and could look for improvement this season. I didn't want to get carried away, but our superb form in December may well be the springboard to a top finish.

Best player: David Watson

There have been several excellent contributions so far and our Player of the Year is still very much up for grabs.

Defensively we have been generally solid and I'd give a special mention to Lewis Mayo who has stepped up on the previous campaign especially when employed in a central role.

Danny Armstrong continues to be a key player for us and his return in terms of goals and assists have been vital.

However if I was picking the main player so far I'd nominate young David Watson, who has quickly established himself as a mainstay in midfield despite his age. He is now adding goals to his game and will be catching the eye of many teams down south - keep your hands off please.

Most disappointing player: Liam Donnelly

The Northern Irish midfielder has a history of injuries and I was amazed when he was given a belated two-year deal in the summer. Unsurprisingly he has spent most of his time on the treatment table leaving us short in a key area of the pitch.

Manager rating: 8/10

By Derek McInnes' own admission, last season was not good enough at times and we seriously wanted to avoid a relegation scrap this time around. His team selections have been more consistent this term and that has improved our points tally. There is still work to be done but we are moving in the right direction and the connection with the fans is improving.

Predicted finish in table: 5th

You can be made to look very stupid with these predictions as things can change so quickly but our December form has filled me with optimism, so I'll predict 5th whilst secretly hoping it might be even better.

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Marley Watkins says Kilmarnock can achieve "great things" this season, and praised the dressing room atmosphere at Rugby Park.

Killie currently sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership, nine points ahead of Dundee in seventh, and Derek McInnes' side have lost just one of their last seven league outings.

“Having confidence in the squad is really important, winning is a habit that we want to have consistently," Watkins told Kilmarnock's official club website.

“That comes from stuff you do off the pitch, the way you train and everything that goes into that.

“We are all demanding of each other which is good, it’s a real winning environment so long may that continue.

“We’ve got Corrie [Ndaba] on loan who I think will go all the way to the top, we’ve got players like Matty [Kennedy] and Danny [Armstrong] who create plenty every game and [Kyle] Vassell up front; we’ve got top quality players.

“We’ve got a long way to go, but there’s no reason why we can’t achieve great things.

“This is a great group of boys, everyone gets on in the changing room really well.

“There’s so much togetherness, we do a lot off the park as a team too so it’s great to be a part of.

“We want to make sure it’s the best possible season we have, so we need to get going after the break. We want to keep being winners and see where we can take it.”