Source: Team_Talk
Killie boss pities young rivals
After Inverness suffered their seventh Scottish Premier defeat in succession at Hamilton on Saturday, Brewster became the latest managerial casualty even though Caley are just one point behind Falkirk at the bottom of table.[LNB]Jefferies started his senior career as manager with Berwick Rangers in 1988 and has stayed in the game since, with spells at Falkirk, Hearts and Bradford before his arrival at Rugby Park in 2002.[LNB]The Killie boss reflected on a time when he could have been lost to management had it not been for boardroom support he believes is missing from the modern game.[LNB]Ahead of Thursday night's Homecoming Scottish Cup fourth-round replay against arch-rivals Ayr United, said: "I would hate to be starting out in management.[LNB]"I was speaking to another experienced manager the other week and we were saying that it must be hard for a young manager, especially with the lack of resources these days.[LNB]"It wasn't as hard 20 years ago.[LNB]"Sometimes, people take the easy option. When you are down at the bottom of the table, you need people who are strong.[LNB]"If they are not, you can easily lose your job because that's the world we live in.[LNB]"I might have been doing something else now if Falkirk chairman David Holmes had not stood by me.[LNB]"When I went to Falkirk, we had just missed out on the championship but, after five games, we had not won a game.[LNB]"I could have been out the job in six weeks.[LNB]"There were noises then about making a quick change because they were expecting promotion.[LNB]"But David was fantastic; he stood by me and told everyone that I would be there until the end of the season, irrespective of results."[LNB]Jefferies added: "He said that I had to be given time to show what I could do and if I wanted to sell players to buy my own then he would back me.[LNB]"He gave me a lot of confidence. I sold one or two players, which didn't go down well with the fans. But with the two or three players I brought in, we won the title.[LNB]"David Holmes paid me the biggest compliment by saying he would trust me with his life and I have always remembered that.[LNB]"But it's harder now and it's going to get even harder for young managers, so good luck to them."[LNB]Irn-Bru Second Division Ayr and Killie fought out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Somerset Park earlier this month, whetting the appetite for Thursday's replay, which is live on television.[LNB]Jefferies believes his side are ready to hit the goal trail - and hopes it is against their arch-rivals.[LNB]"All we lacked against Hearts at the weekend was a finishing touch but, if we keep playing like that, it won't happen all the time," he said.[LNB]"We will stick the ball in the back of the net as we did at Hibs recently and, when it happens, we are going to get two or three goals.[LNB]"It might not happen against Ayr but somebody is going to get it and hopefully we take a few chances in this replay.[LNB]"That would be nice but we would settle for one, as long as we get in to the next round."[LNB]Jefferies reported no fresh injuries for tomorrow's game which has a 7.30pm kick-off to facilitate the possibility of extra-time and penalties.[LNB][LNB]
