Kilmarnock V Hearts at Rugby Park : Match Preview

22 September 2015 15:31
Kilmarnock V Hearts - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Kilmarnock sign Mark Ridgers to solve goalkeeper crisis

Kilmarnock have signed goalkeeper Mark Ridgers from St Mirren on an emergency loan deal ahead of their home League Cup third-round tie against Hearts on Wednesday.

The Rugby Park club found themselves with a keeper crisis after Jamie MacDonald went off injured against St Johnstone on Saturday.

Conor Brennan came on in the 2-1 win over Saints but he is cup-tied because he played for Stranraer on loan in the previous rounds, while on-loan Swansea goalkeeper Oliver Davies is injured and 18-year-old Devlin Mackay is on loan at Derby.

That left 16-year-old academy player Ryan Millar on standby to make his debut.

Scottish Professional Football League rules permit teams to sign goalkeepers outside the transfer window under exceptional circumstances and the Ayrshire club were granted permission to bring in Ridgers until January.

Boss Gary Locke told Kilmarnock's official website: "It has been a very difficult 48 hours for us.

"I am grateful to Ian Murray and everyone at St Mirren for their professionalism and for allowing us to bring a player of Mark's quality in under these circumstances."

Speaking about his move from a Championship club up to the top flight, former Hearts keeper Ridgers, 25, said: "It was a bit of a whirlwind - I am really pleased to have joined Killie and to get the opportunity to play in the Ladbrokes Premiership again.

"Tuesday night is a good opportunity for me to show what I can do."

Meanwhile, Jamie Hamill insists he puts no added importance on to playing against his former club.

The midfielder signed for Kilmarnock for a second time in 2014 after being released by Hearts in the wake of their relegation to the Scottish Championship.

"I enjoyed every minute of my time at Hearts," he said. "It is in the past. I am here at Kilmarnock.

"If it is a former team, or former team-mates, it doesn't make a difference to my mind-set.

"I wish Hearts all the best because there are some good people there who I had close relationships with but it is in the past and hopefully we put them out the cup."

Hearts midfielder Billy King admits Locke played a "massive" role in his development as the Killie boss prepares to face his former club for the first time since being shown the door at Tynecastle.

Locke comes face to face with Robbie Neilson for the first time since his former colleague replaced him as Hearts head coach following the change of ownership at Tynecastle.

And King is one of a number of Hearts players who have much to thank the former Hearts skipper for.

The 21-year-old said: "He's Hearts through and through. He was massively important when I was just breaking through.

"The squad was really young and we weren't winning many games but it was good experience for us. We needed game time and it made us the players we are today.

"He was a massive figure in my development and I just need to keep going in the right direction.

"It was John McGlynn who gave me my debut against Dundee at Tynecastle. It was a massive experience for me.

"He (Locke) was assistant at the time and he would give you advice. At that time under John McGlynn there were experienced players as well, which helped. It wasn't the best of seasons but from my point of view it was a good season because I made my debut and got a few starts."

Many others have followed the same path as Locke from Gorgie to Rugby Park - Jamie Hamill, Scott Robinson, Conrad Balatoni and emergency loan signing Mark Ridgers are set to line up against their former club while Jamie MacDonald, Dale Carrick and Kevin McHattie miss out through injury and ineligibility.

"That's football, people move on," King said. "It will be nice to see them again but we are going there to win the game.

"Gary knows what sort of players they are and what they are capable of and brought them to Kilmarnock. They are good recruits for Gary.

"They will be determined to prove a point because they used to be here and for whatever reason they have been told to leave or find another club.

"That will make it even more difficult for us but we need to be at the top of our game."


Source: PAR