Lee Clark demands improvement as Kilmarnock prepare to host Aberdeen
Lee Clark is looking for Kilmarnock to put the harsh lessons learnt from their punishing defeat by Celtic into practice against Aberdeen.
The Ayrshire side were demolished 6-1 by the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders last week and now face the second-placed Dons.
Second-bottom Killie's quest for their first win in six games continues against an in-form Pittodrie side and manager Clark is hoping his players are better equipped for the task than last weekend.
"The good thing about last week is that it shows us what we have to do better in terms of when we come up against the top teams," he said.
"We have to be more aggressive and play higher up the pitch.
"When I say aggressive, I mean aggressive in our pressing game.
"I think we showed a little bit too much respect for Celtic even though on Wednesday against Manchester City they went on to show what a good team they are now under Brendan Rodgers.
"I have been impressed with Aberdeen. I was impressed with Derek McInnes and the work he did last year.
"I had one game against them in the latter part of the season and he has made some good signings and he already had some big players.
"It has been a big week for them in terms of the three games they had in various competitions and they showed all aspects of the game.
"They have shown good football, ability to be aggressive and match teams so we know it is going to be tough."
Clark will be without 19-year-old midfielder Dean Hawkshaw, who is out for between two and three months with medial ligament damage sustained at Celtic Park.
Miles Addison (ankle) and Dapo Kayode (knock) are again available for selection, while Greg Kiltie could be back following a hamstring complaint.
Club captain Steven Smith is improving following his ankle operation but Callum McFadzean (foot) remains out.
Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn believes his side's squad now has the strength in depth they have lacked in recent seasons.
Derek McInnes' men go in search of a third successive league victory at Rugby Park as they attempt to tighten their grip on second spot.
Northern Ireland frontman McGinn said: "Since I have come through the door at Pittodrie the team has improved each season.
"The players the manager has brought in this summer are all very good players and I feel this is the strongest squad we have had.
"If you look at the bench there are a lot of good players waiting to come on. It is good for the manager to have these options when he comes to choosing his best XI for a Saturday.
"Two weeks ago you would have looked at the table and said it was not a great start but after the week we have had with the two league wins and getting to the Betfred Cup semi-final, things look a bit different now. It has been a great week for the club and we want to kick on now."
Manager McInnes has no fresh injury worries, although skipper Ryan Jack (knee) and young defender Scott McKenna (ankle) remain out.
Source: PAR
