Source: Team_Talk
Calderwood relishing first Killie game
Calderwood and assistant Jimmy Nicholl will come up against the veteran Motherwell interim management team of Craig Brown and Archie Knox at Rugby Park on Saturday.[LNB]Calderwood took over from Jim Jefferies on Thursday following more than seven months out of work after his surprise departure from Aberdeen on the day he led them into Europe.[LNB]While his comeback came later than many expected, Brown's return to frontline management at the age of 69 was something of a surprise.[LNB]But Calderwood knows the former Scotland management team will ensure he faces a tough test in his first SPL outing with Killie.[LNB]Brown and Knox have had several weeks to prepare for their first match in charge after watching Motherwell lose 1-0 at Hearts on December 30.[LNB]"They are brilliant, it will be great to see them again," Calderwood said.[LNB]"I saw them the other night when I was working for the BBC, but I had the earphones on so I couldn't really talk to them.[LNB]"I got a slap on the back of the head from Archie. I could have guessed it was probably him and I'll probably get another slap on Saturday if we beat them, but I'll accept that.[LNB]"It's great to see them back in the game. They have been great for Scottish football and for what they have done through the years, I've got the greatest respect for them.[LNB]"By all reports they played wonderfully well at Hearts a few weeks ago and didn't win the game.[LNB]"As you would expect, they are playing with a smile on their faces, from what I'm reading, so it's going to be a very difficult game."[LNB]Kilmarnock are just two points above bottom club Falkirk, who they face in the Scottish Cup on Monday night, but Calderwood is optimistic they can go on a charge up the table.[LNB]"You saw it with wee Gus, he has had a couple of great results with St Mirren and they are nearly in the top six," the former Dunfermline manager said.[LNB]"It's not going to be an easy start with those two in charge but we have won more games than we've lost in the SPL over the years, and hopefully we can go on a wee run and get up the table, where we think Kilmarnock should be.[LNB]"The bottom line is the quality is there, it's just a matter of trying to get it out as soon as possible.[LNB]"There is nothing better for that than getting three points."[LNB][LNB] Kilmarnock 11/8, Motherwell 2/1, Draw 9/4
