Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies backs Kyle for Scotland
The 27-year-old striker made the last of his nine international appearances under Berti Vogts in a friendly defeat to Denmark in Copenhagen in 2004.
Kyle, who signed in January from Coventry after loan spells at Wolves and Hartlepool, has been out of the picture since, ignored by Vogts'
successors Walter Smith, Alex McLeish and - so far - George Burley.
However, he made the headlines last week when scored his first hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Falkirk at Rugby Park which took the Ayrshire side six points clear of the Scottish Premier League bottom side.
Jefferies, who is looking for Killie's third win over Dundee United this season when they travel to Tannadice on Saturday, said: "I don't pick the team but if Kevin bangs in another few goals for us then I'm sure George Burley will come and have a look at him.
"Darren Jackson was at the game against Falkirk and told me it was the best performance he had seen from a centre-forward this season, so that's high praise.
"Pat Nevin was on the radio saying Kevin was outstanding; world class was the term he used and said he was definitely Scotland material.
"He gave Stephen McManus a tough time in the defeat against Celtic and Gordon Strachan admitted that after the game.
"So if they are saying that then it's something Kevin should look at.
"What could inspire him is what Chris Iwelumo did in the lower divisions in England.
"He came through and bagged a few goals and caught the eye, so it's there for Kevin.
"I think he might have thought it wasn't so difficult playing in the SPL.
"But he has been unlucky after getting off to a good start against St Mirren on his debut.
"Scoring his first ever hat-trick shows you that the team provide him with the ammunition.
"But he led the line all day, we fed off him and his overall performance for the three goals was excellent and he deserved his goals."
Jefferies admits the win over his former club was crucial.
He said: "It was a big result for us.
"The players had been playing reasonably well without getting a result and it was only the Hearts game that was disappointing.
"The players were down after that and we had a heart-to-heart with them and they bounced back.
"They knew how important it was to beat Falkirk, they knew they could have been bottom of the league with a defeat, and they went out and did their talking on the pitch."
Dundee Utd 4/6, Draw 5/2, Kilmarnock 9/2
