Press comments from the Killie boss Derek McInnes shall be here... 

May 17th 2022 on Signing Alan Power: “I’m absolutely delighted to get the chance to work with Alan, a player I’ve always admired from the outside. As the Kilmarnock fans will know, we’re getting a player with great experience and competitive edge. Such was Alan’s determination to find a way to come back to Kilmarnock, it was one of the easiest negotiations I’ve ever been involved in.”

May 9th on his Season Recap & Stephen McGinn's Departure: "Sometimes you can talk about potential but to see it realised on a night like the Arbroath match at Rugby Park makes the potential of this club more tangible and people can identify with it.  Ultimately we want to show that Kilmarnock want to do something next season and not just survive.  Before we know it, we’ll be back for pre-season and setting about our work to get the players fit. Its going to be a busy period. We are doing all we can to try and put a strong squad together and build a team who can represent the supporters well. We want a squad which will maximise the budget fully and the more fans we have in the stadium along with getting our recruitment right, then we’ll have a good chance.  I'd like to thank all the players for their efforts and contributions to the club and this is always a tough part of the job.
"Stephen McGinn in particular was really influential in my time as manager and was someone I really enjoyed working with. After having a conversation with Stephen, we feel the best chance for him to continue playing regularly will come elsewhere. However he goes with our best wishes and full acknowledgement of the role he played in our promotion."

April 29th 2022 on the Raith Post-Match: "The players deserved to celebrate - it was a special night the other night at Rugby Park and it was a wee bit of a Disney finish, it was absolutely dramatic. We gave the layers a few days off and they obviously celebrated to the maximum and I think we've got four hamstrings and a calf injury after that tonight, but we still showed that competitive side and it was a far better performance in the second half." - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

April 28th on Next Term's Squad: "We need to be as competitive as we possibly can. If we can attract some good players to the club to help the current squad that would help. There is work to be done. When we get a few players in we will look to that first game and we want to be confident. We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves but what we do want to do is make sure we are not in a position next season where we are fighting relegation again and have the confidence to go and set about the Premier League. We know what the club is capable of and we have seen clubs, including ourselves, become top six teams but a lot of things have to be right for that and the most important aspect of that is recruitment and having a good squad to chose from. I have been batting off calls to agents because I didn't want to lose focus on the job in hand. I wanted to pick up the baton with us as a Premier League team so those plans have started now. The players we have shown good ability and great togetherness but we do need some additions and we need time to do that."
 

April 22nd on the Arbroath Post-Match: "What a way to win it. It was no more than we deserved.  I thought Arbroath were the better team in the first half. I thought we were too pumped up, too erratic, too excitable. The perseverance of the team was clear, the winning mentality of the team was brilliant and to score so late on was fantastic. I'm absolutely delighted for so many people but it shows what this place can be. We battered Arbroath second-half. We eventually got the second goal and it was no more than we deserved because of the chances we created. I thought we were outstanding second-half.  I’m just happy for so many people. It’s not easy winning leagues and when you see the crowd turn up tonight, we were too anxious, too excitable in the first half. There was pressure on us tonight and the whole country outwith Kilmarnock seemed like they wanted Arbroath to win it and I get that, it’s a great story. They still might get there.  But the best team wins the league and we are the best team, that’s a fact. We have had to do it the hard way. It would have been tough for us to go again and prepare for Raith Rovers. The boys sniffed it - we felt tonight was the night we had to do it. Our best opportunity was tonight. Normally you have to beat your closest competitors, you have to kill the chief. Arbroath have been the chiefs all season, they have been up there, terrific. When we came in Killie weren’t even looking convincing to be in the play-offs. But we have beaten Inverness here, Raith Rovers here and Partick here. All the teams round about us. It just left Arbroath and we needed to do it tonight.  It was important we had this occasion. We’ve only ever won two titles and we’ve never won one at Rugby Park. It was important that the fans saw the teams delivering tonight. It was magic to see the place full. I think it was the biggest Killie support since the 90s. It shows what can be done here. We’ve a big summer ahead but these things can wait”  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

April 21st on the Arbroath Pre-Match:  “The only thing I am caring about is looking after Kilmarnock.  I understand the fairytale aspect, the whole part-time thing shows you what can be done. I get it but it just gives me even more resolve. We’ve been trying to get this club moving in three months. Something had to change to get us moving. Arbroath have been working together over three years, you can see the benefits of that. Their players are good enough to play full-time. I understand it will be a fantastic story for them but I only care about Kilmarnock. It will be a fantastic story for us after being five points behind, having it all to do, not just rolling over and accepting anything other than driving the club on. We understand the importance of this season and the fact that the game we have gives us a chance to win a league, for the club to feel good about ourselves again, for the supporters to be rewarded for consistently turning up. When the club was relegated, season-ticket sales and commercial sales went through the roof. The support stood by the club, who did everything they could to put everything in place to go straight back up, so I’d be delighted for so many people.  But I’d rather talk about that once we have achieved something. I understand there is maybe more expectation and pressure on us but that’s been there since the first game. We now have a chance to finish off some brilliant work by the players over the past few months. That’s a brilliant story for Kilmarnock.  I always wanted to get to our last home game knowing that, if we won, it would be significant.  That’s where we are. We need to try and overcome a strong opponent, our biggest challenger. I’m really enjoying the build-up. There will be a bigger crowd and there will be more scrutiny on the game.  But that goes hand in hand with what’s expected of us here. We have all signed up to do exactly one thing and that’s to take the club back into the top flight. We can only be the animal we want to be if we are in the Premiership, so for us it is to try to win this league.  Then we can take a breath but I’m reluctant to speak too much before then because I have too much respect for the league. We’ve never pretended to be better than anybody else but we’ve always believed we’re good enough to win games regularly and that’s what we’ve done. I have a healthy regard for each and every team in the division, particularly Arbroath.  It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I feel as though I’ve been here more than three months, to be honest. But I’m really enjoying being here and I’m just desperate to play my part in getting the club back to where it should be.”

Apr 15th 2022 on the Caley Post-Match:  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Apr 9th 2022 on the Pars Post-Match:  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Apr 1st 2022 on the Morton Post-Match: "In the laws of the game now it's a stonewall penalty. Morton were good and we knew the type of game it was going to be.  They asked a question of us and you can see why they're unbeaten here under Dougie. It keeps our unbeaten run going too, there are no easy fixtures in this league."  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Mar 31st on Being Named Championship Manager of the Month for March:  “Any award for a player or member of staff is recognition of good work by the players. As managers we’re all judged by the performances of the players and they’ve shown real consistency and level of performance in March. Obviously the main award that we’re after is clear for everyone to see.” 

Mar 26th on the Jags Post-Match:  "I thought we did deserve to win. My keeper’s not had a save to make until the dying embers of it.  There wasn’t a lot happening first half except a piece of magic from Kyle [Lafferty].  We were punished for a bit of slackness when we conceded and that made it the type of game it was for the last few minutes. Today is a lesson for the team that on another day it might have cost us. With five games to go, we need to learn a lesson from how we finished the game today, not the performance beforehand."
On Lafferty: "Kyle came here and he’s on the same wages as everyone else, he didn’t ask for anything, his demands weren’t anything bigger than what the club pay.  We told him that we wanted him to come to try and help us and he had offers from one Premiership club and two or three other Championship sides, who potentially could have paid a wee bit more but we stuck to our guns and we told him he importance of him playing his part for us.  He felt a bit of an obligation from the last time he was here in the team that got relegated and he has been first class for me. I am absolutely loving working with the boy!"  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Mar 25th on the Jags Pre-Match:  “At this stage it’s about trying to fine-tune things. Players aren’t going to become any fitter as you go into the home straight. There are just six games left so most of the work we’re doing is trying to reinforce the good stuff from previous matches.  We’ve had a settled team for a wee while now and we seem to be benefiting from that. Our job is to help the lads who haven’t been starting because every time we win that chance must seem even further away from them but everyone is important and everyone has a part to play.  They need to be ready to come in and do a job.”
McInnes admits Killie have been had a target on their back since day one of the season.  “That target’s probably been here all season, even though I wasn’t here at the start. Being the biggest club and having the biggest support in the division isn’t something we can shy away from but it counts for nothing if you don’t perform. I’ve been pleased by the attitude and the effort the players have shown in my 11 league games. We’ve taken 23 points from them and if we can continue in that form we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

Mar 19th on the QotS Post-Match: "Every win at this stage of the season is going to be vitally important.  It was probably more dramatic than we needed it to be, but we found a way to win. First half we were really dominant, I was pleased with how we controlled the game. But I was not so pleased with the lack of cutting edge with our chances. We were guilty of not being clinical enough to get the second goal, and when it's 1-0 there's always a risk when you're playing a team fighting for their lives"  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Mar17th on the QotS Pre-Match: "I think it's the same pressure if you're top or chasing. Since we came in we've said to the boys that our responsibility is to win the league, we don't shy away from it. That is plain and simple what the demand on us is. We are happy to embrace that, we are a club that after 28 years in the Premiership we find ourselves out of the league, so we want to get straight back up. The players who were here as part of the relegated team, the players who came in during summer, and those who came in in January, we all have the responsibility of getting this club back up. Hopefully on Saturday we can take another step towards that, but we fully respect every team, no one is going to give us anything, we need to work for it. The home form gives me confidence going into the next two games, but more importantly it should give the players confidence. We've won the last few league games in the league at home, that sort of form is what we are after. We have got four league games left at home, and it's important we try and maximise that". 

Mar  11th on the Ayr Post-Match: “It’s a derby and it was all about winning especially at this time of the season. It was our third opportunity to go top of the league. We failed to do so in two Friday night games. Now it feels good to be there - but it’s all about being top on April 29. We recognise the strength and quality of the teams round about us. Nobody is going to give us victories. I’m just pleased to win another one on the road. We have won our last three home games in the league and now picked up a draw and a win on the road. Continue that form and it gives us a chance. The connection with the fans and the players tonight really helped us. The fans were brilliant. Like me they frustrated at wanting more goals. But it’s a derby and Ayr are not going to roll over. I loved how the supporters were with the players at the end. I said after the last derby we had a bit of making up to do with the fans so that’s sent them home happy. I thought we were very good. Our shape caused them a bit of problems but we still needed individuals to produce moments and Fraser Murray’s touch and reverse pass for the first goal was excellent and settled us down. We then score two goals off set plays and have one cleared off the line. We were asking the question for the fourth goal. But it’s human nature after the red card that one or two start to relax and the intensity drops.”   - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Mar 5th on the Accies Post-Match:  "My team talk was already constructed because everything that I had asked for was in the performance except the finishing touch. We have been guilty of that in the past in my time here of being on top but not putting teams to bed. I thought we were relentless in our work. Out of possession, with our press, we were spot-on. We had good energy but it was just that sense of not talking our chances but Fraser got his goal and then we asked for more of the same in the second-half. We had a wee lull between 65 and 75 minutes and their changes gave them a bit of impetus albeit that I don't think our keeper really had a save to make. The second goal takes away any anxiety. It was a very good performance. It was good to get a 2-0 victory but it could have been more."    - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Mar 4th on the Accies Pre-Match: "This is the start of that final stretch, if you like. We need to remind the players we’re only a point off the top of the league, sometimes it doesn’t feel like that. We need to show we’re right in the fight to win a title and get the positivity from that and be confident enough to deal with that situation. Saturday will help us no end if we can go and win the game. In the eight games we’ve been in we’re only second in the form table to Morton, only they have picked up more points. So while we’re not satisfied with our form and we expect better to come, it’s important we go and show we’re the best team in this division from now on in and come out on top."

Mar 2nd on the Raith (Challenge Cup) Post-Match: “We blew the chance to make a cup final by losing two horrendous goals.  We were in a good position, we were comfortable at 1-0 and we need to recognise we've chucked this opportunity away. Raith capitalised on our mistakes, both goals were awful from our point of view, we made bad decisions in the middle of the park.  We lost a game we were in charge of, all we had to do was be efficient, experienced and do the job, we didn't do that."  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Feb 26th 2022 on the Pars Most-Match: Derek McInnes insists being top at the end of the season is all that matters. “We have not lost ground but it’s another week gone and another missed opportunity. “That’s three times we’ve had chances to top the league since I’ve been here and we’ve not managed to take any of them. It is important you are top of the league at the  end of the season and we’ll keep working towards that.”  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Feb 19th 2022 on the Raith Post-Match:   “I thought we got off to a good start, and I’d asked the boys to do that and they responded. We asked them to carry on from where they left off last week, I thought they came out the traps well.  We seemed to find good spaces and gaps thanks to the willingness of forward runs from the players.  I was delighted to get the second and third goals as they made life more comfortable, but we struggled to deal with their directness in the second half to be honest.  Once we got the third goal it allowed us to breathe and we could manage the game, I was delighted with every one of my players.”  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Feb 18th 2022 on the Raith Pre-Match: “Every player here has to accept there is a pressure to get back up.  They had 28 years as a Premiership club for a reason.  We feel we are an established top flight club but we have found ourselves out of it.  It is now up to us to do something about it.  With that comes pressure but it helps to have players with a certain level of experience.  That mentality and nous and inner confidence to deal with things when the game doesn't go to plan.  The bigger the game the bigger the performance is what we are aiming for. I thought our experienced players came to the fore last Saturday.  I have never really bought into the whole 'favourites' thing, the league table doesn't lie.  There's nothing between the top teams, and even the teams who are at the bottom can become rejuvenated and they've hit form at different times. The league table suggests we aren't favourites, the best team has been Arbroath up until now, everyone is trying to challenge that including us.  Hopefully come the end of the season when you can properly reflect, we can worry if we're the best.  I am really pleased with how receptive the players have been, I can see how honest they are.  We now have to bring a consistency of results to make each game bigger than the next, that's what we want.  We want the drama, we want the excitement of a strong finish. We don't want to be on the outside looking at other people lifting the trophy, we want to push ourselves forward and win these games coming up.”

Feb 12th 2022 on the Pars Post-Match: “The first half was evenly poised, two teams playing the same system.  I was obviously disappointed to lose the goal but the response was everything I’d expect because you’re not always going to get it your own way and it would have been easy for the players to feel sorry for themselves.   But the belief and attitude to drag themselves back and get in front pleased me no end because that’s what a real spirit is.  We feel we have generated that. We love working with the players Monday to Friday but real spirit comes from when you are losing games and it can drag you through. We saw that togetherness today from a team who had to contend with 90 minutes through the week.  I thought the crowd played a part and helped us over the line."   - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

 

Feb 9th 2022 on the Ayr Post-Match:  "I wouldn't say we showed a lack of fight...it's too simplistic to say that.  For me it was more a lack of belief. The players are definitely working hard enough. But we have to show more courage and responsibility with the demands that are here at this club.  I just felt there was still a lot of the game to play for [at 2-1 down] and it only takes a second to score a goal.  There was still 10-plus minutes to go but it was almost like we were feeling sorry for ourselves because the game wasn't going the way we wanted.  For me, that's got to change.  We had real opportunites at 1-0 and 1-1 to go and win it. When we got Chris Burke and Fraser Murray on the ball, they carried real threat and real fight for us.  But we lost control of the game and made a change to try and address that to try and get more control through the middle of the park.  But once they got their second goal they could have picked us off once or twice after that and I'm disappointed at how the game unravelled and ran away from us. Every game has defining moments and we missed our opportunities to go back in front again".    - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Feb 8th 2022 on the Ayr Pre-Match:  “Players who signed for Kilmarnock, no matter when they joined, it’s about getting us back up to the Premiership,” said boss McInnes as he looked ahead to a pivotal night. It’s the same for myself and my staff and we have to approach that head on.  When you work for a club like this, there will be an expectation – especially in this league. We all knew that and you have to deal with that.  I have been brought in as there was a feeling we might not win promotion.  We have brought in a few signings and we have to find a way to make us win more games.  We probably haven’t won enough tight games as a club, It was tight on Friday and we have to try to win those games by producing moments of quality.  Friday won’t derail or upset us too much as there are plenty of games left.  We have that belief in the players and we have to believe it can be a successful season.  If others lose that belief then that’s up to them, but for us, it is dealing with the job at hand. We came here to try to get the club into the Premiership and that hasn’t changed just because we lost a game.  I can’t expect us to be perfect but I expect us to be better, We have so few games left we have to get the job done, especially after the Arbroath game, I don’t want the players to be any more motivated as it is a derby – I want them to be motivated in every game.”

Feb 4th 2022 on the Arbroath Post-Match:  “I thought Arbroath got the best of the first half but there wasn't a lot in the game at that point, they didn’t work our goalie much before the interval. These conditions can make it easy for players to abdicate responsibility. We spoke at half-time about how the game could be won by the other team making a mistake and it was. We made a mistake and gave it away, and Zach has been brilliant for me since I came in, but Zach should save it. We’re disappointed we haven't given our fans something. Plenty of effort from the players but it takes a lot more than effort.“ - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Jan 29th 2022 on the Caley Post-Match: "The goal was terrific. Dan MacKay was very capable today and Kyle Lafferty still had a lot to do - the technique to put the ball in the back of the net was really pleasing. The fans were different class and really played their part. The main priority was to win the game and the players showed real resolve.  I don’t think Zach [Hemming] has had a real save to make but we should have picked Inverness off. We were a bit wasteful.  We are a team who look like we are not used to winning at home. Sometimes in games like that there is tension from the crowd, but our fans were remarkable. They got behind the team and were a proper home support and I was grateful because they see the willingness of the team and we had some good moments in that first-half. We would like to have more control in these games but it is all about the winning. At 1-0 up we will be better again so we are learning as we are going along. It was 10/10 for effort."  - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Jan 28th 2022 on the Caley Pre-Match: "I think every game is important now, we are getting to that part of the season where you're playing teams around you and you have the chance to get three points whilst dealing damage to the opposition. But Inverness will be seeing it exactly the same, I have seen them in the flesh a few times this season and I am really impressed with the work Doddsy has done.  They are a well functioning team, they are organised and they have good players. When they get into the opposition half they like to get plenty of crosses in, they will come here and ask the questions. I know they haven't won a lot of games of late, but they haven't lost a lot either.  They got off to a flyer at the start of the season and you can see why. We have got a job to do, hopefully we can win three points because we need to start winning more home games. We are now at the stage of the season where we need to start getting a bit of momentum and get a few wins back-to-back. No team has ever been successful or won a title without having a strong home record.  We are not a million miles away in terms of where we are as a team, but there clearly needs to be improvements to have the confidence to go on and win the league.  I thought the players really enjoyed the game on Saturday, there was an anticipation for it, I want the players to relish 3pm on a Saturday both home and away, but particularly at home when we can try and utilise a strong home support. It's important that we give the fans something to engage with, on Saturday being applauded off the park despite losing, there were positives to take. We need more of the same but with a positive result too, we will strive for that on Saturday."

Jan 22nd on the Arabs Post-Match: "From where we were a couple of weeks ago when we first arrived, did I think we were capable of that type of performance? I wasn't so sure. We had umpteen chances to get that second goal and, unfortunately for us, when it came for United it was in the dying embers of extra time." - Match Recap & YouTube Interview -

Jan 21st 2022 Pre-Match Arabs (Cup) Comments:  “I think this would always be seen as a tough game for both teams with a team near the top of the Championship at home to a mid-table Premiership side.  The fact we are in the Championship is through our own doing and getting back to the Premiership is the main challenge.  But, we know that by having a good cup run you can get so many benefits from that.  The feelgood factor, the financial rewards and the confidence from beating a team like Dundee United.  There are loads of aspects where having a good cup run will help us.  I think it is a game there to be won. We feel we can win it.  And while a Championship team beating a Premiership team might be seen as an upset to some we wouldn't see it that way.  I’m looking forward to it. With the crowd’s coming back in it will be good for everybody.  We are playing Premier League opposition and they will bring a good support down. That just adds to it.  It was always going to be a tough game for us but I’m sure Dundee United will be looking at it the same way.  It is a tie that is there to be won.  Nerves can be a good thing. When you wake up on a Saturday morning it is game day.  There is a physical feeling with the adrenaline and you look forward to getting into the ground.  When you have worked with the players all week you just want to try an executive your plan".

Jan 21st 2022 on Signing  Kyle Lafferty:“I’m delighted to get Kyle on board and I think he’ll give us personality, presence and experience. We were looking for added goal threat and Kyle has been here before and done well. From speaking to him, he wanted to help Kilmarnock get back to the Premiership. He’s someone I’ve tried to work with before at different times and for one reason or another, we haven’t been able to do it. I want him to be a real positive influence on the team and I’m thrilled to get him on board to help us with our targets for the season.”

Jan 14th 2022 on the Jags Post-Match: "On the overall performance, we're glad to come away with a point. When you're in a winning position with so little time left, it's disappointing not to take all three. It was a tough match and the surface wasn't the best, but I thought Thistle were better than us, not much better than us in the second half when we got against them a bit more and we didn't give up too many chances and you have to say it's a great finish from Docherty."   - Match Recap -

Jan 12th 2022: The Jags & Killie have asked for crowd restrictions to be lifted immediately as they prepare for Friday's Scottish Championship fixture.  "When we're so close to that date [when restrictions ease] and still being restricted to 500, of course it's a tinge of disappointment. If there is a way we can get some Kilmarnock fans in and have a bigger crowd in then it always helps the spectacle of the game and the atmosphere of course.  It's two very well supported clubs".

Jan 8th 2022: On the QotS Post-Match: “I’ve enjoyed the few days I’ve had although I’ve only had two full days with the players.  I’ve been really pleased with the response I’ve had and I thought the performance was terrific. I saw a lot of what we were looking for - twin striker play, movement and plenty of crosses into the box. We were just guilty of not putting the ball in the net which brought a sense of frustration in the first half.  It was good to wake up this morning having that feeling of game day again. Three o’clock on a Saturday is still the best time of the week. It was good to see the boys and start with three points.We played cup football and that’s what we’ve got to do with 16 games left.” 
On Killie going Top of the Championship with a win over Partick Thistle at Firhill on Friday: “You see how the league can change in terms of results and there are a few surprises every week.  We just have to try to focus on ourselves. We can control what happens to us.  It’s important the players recognise that and take responsibility. If we can take care of our business and be as good as we can be, we’ll be there or thereabouts.” - Match Recap -

Jan 6th in Speaking to the Press: “For a club like Kilmarnock, first thing is first. You have to show we are capable of getting out of this division and you don’t just get that by being a big club and having a good support and a bit of history.  It’s important we acknowledge the challenge ahead of us and take full responsibility for that. I played against Kilmarnock when they were really thriving under Tommy Burns’ team and he really lit a fire here and got the supporters engaged. Steve Clarke did it more recently and we saw the capabilities of the team.  First thing is first, while it is good to have a long-term plan, the short term is to win the game on Saturday and get a bit of confidence into the squad and go and try and get a bit of momentum between now and the end of the season.”

Jan 4th on Joining Killie: “People might be surprised but that doesn’t bother me. I feel as if I can help Kilmarnock. Put it this way, I don’t want to be in the Championship any more than they do and I feel, with a lot of hard work, we can achieve what we want to achieve together. I've had a really good break over these last few months but ultimately, I’m built to work.

So when this opportunity came up I realised straight away that I’m ready to go again. I feel better than ever in terms of the experience I’ve picked up. But I’ve also got bags of energy and enthusiasm and believe there is still so much for me to do. So I chose Killie because I want to get going again and this is a club with massive potential. When Steve Clarke was here Kilmarnock became an established top six club and the fans connected with the team just the way they did when Tommy Burns was manager here during my own playing days. So, yes, in a year from now I want us to be heading into the winter break involved in the fight for a place in the top six of the Premiership. But obviously there is work to do. That’s why they are where they are in the league right now. The first aim is to get this club promoted and back into the top flight as quickly as possible. That’s my intention. I know the backing from the fans can make this club special so for me it is a great opportunity".

Tommy Wright's June-Dec 2021 Comments are - HERE