Kilmarnock V Inverness CT at Rugby Park : Match Preview

15 January 2016 18:34
Kilmarnock V Inverness CT - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Locke talk key to Kiltie's Killie stay

Greg Kiltie has decided to stay at Kilmarnock for now and boss Gary Locke told him he could follow James McCarthy and James McArthur's path to England.

The young winger put months of speculation about his future to rest last week when he committed himself to Rugby Park until the summer of 2018.

The highly-rated 18-year-old's previous deal had been due to expire at the end of the month.

Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs led a queue of admirers who hoped to snatch Kiltie away from Killie, but the teenager took his time to mull over his options.

And he revealed he was eventually won over by Locke's pitch after the manager urged him to look to former Hamilton pair McCarthy and McArthur as an example of what was achievable.

The Premier League stars - now at Everton and Crystal Palace - racked up a long list of games at Accies before heading south with plenty of experience.

Kiltie said: "I saw the manager talking about the two Jameses. You can't argue with that point when you see that they have gone down to England and done so well. There's nothing you can say back to that.

"They have played 150 games each for Hamilton and gone on to do excellently in the Premier League.

"So that argument came into my decision. It's a long way off yet, but hopefully I can copy the impact they've made."

Kilmarnock will have to deal with a triple-whammy of suspensions when they host Inverness after Josh Magennis, Stevie Smith and Kevin McHattie all reached their sixth bookings of the season.

Player-coach Lee McCulloch is available to play, however, after serving his own ban during Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup win over St Johnstone but Mark O'Hara (ankle), Scott Robinson (groin) and Chris Johnston (knee) are still out.

Gary Warren has urged Anthony Stokes to have a second think about snubbing Inverness as the Celtic frontman prepares to return to Hibernian.

The out-of-favour Hoops striker is Scotland's most wanted man with Easter Road boss Alan Stubbs, Caley Thistle manager John Hughes and Dundee United's Mixu Paatelainen all desperate to take him on loan.

But Hughes and Paatelainen look destined to be disappointed after Hibs jumped to the head of the queue.

That news is a blow to Hughes after he twice helped to kick-start his career during spells with Falkirk and Hibs.

However, Warren says if Stokes is serious about resurrecting his career he should reconsider the Highlands as an option.

Inverness' stand-in skipper told Press Association Sport: "I've played against Anthony a few times and he's an incredible talent.

"I don't know what his views are on where he wants to go play next but the manager has worked with him before so he obviously has a good understanding of him. He knows Anthony inside out.

"Inverness is a place where you get your head down and concentrate on your football. It's a small city. It's quite calm, chilled and relaxed.

"So if he was to come up here he'd find it totally different to Glasgow.

"For me, if people want to concentrate on their football and improving their careers then Inverness is certainly the place to be."

Defender Danny Devine is suspended for the trip to Rugby Park while Richie Foran is recalled into the squad after recovering from another long-term knee injury.

However, boss John Hughes does not believe the Irishman is yet ready to start.


Source: PAR