Boyd rallies team-mates
Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd has called on his team-mates to treat their crunch game against St Mirren as if it is their last for the club - because he knows defeat could spell the end of some of their Rugby Park careers.
Killie have hit a slump at the worst possible time with four consecutive Scottish Premiership defeats leaving them in the play-off place with two matches left.
St Mirren visit Rugby Park with the pressure lifted after Kilmarnock's 5-0 defeat by Hearts on Sunday ensured the Paisley club's safety.
But the heat is very much on Killie as they bid to move off 11th place ahead of Saturday's trip to Easter Road.
Boyd, who is out of contract in the summer, said: "We have proved this season that we can beat the teams round about us. The last few weeks we know ourselves have not been good enough but a couple of weeks before that we went to Motherwell and beat a team that's been in the top three all season. So we know we can do it and it's up to us to put everything into the game as if it might be the last game of football for Kilmarnock.
"In reality that's what it could be for a few. If we end up in that play-off position it could end up in cuts for the club. It's not nice but it's up to us, we know if we win our two games we'll be safe. But talk is cheap sometimes, the hard work is on the pitch."
The 30-year-old has been invaluable for Killie this season with his 20 league goals and he knows he and other experienced team-mates have to lead by example against the Buddies.
"We've a lot of youngsters and nine times out of 10 you learn from the bad things," the former Rangers striker said. "When you're doing things well, you think the world's your oyster, you can do whatever you want. It's not until something happens, that you get yourself into a position that you need to win games, that you really learn.
"The youngsters have never been in this position and we don't want to be in this position but the reality is we are.
"Young kids will look to people for help and it's up to us as experienced players to maybe do that bit extra on the pitch to show the youngsters what's needed. If the older ones go about their business right from the off we might kick a few youngsters on. We've got match-winners and the big thing for us is to get our match-winners in the final third.
"We need to be braver on the ball and take the ball in areas where we can start hurting the opposition."
St Mirren skipper Jim Goodwin claims the Paisley squad have been left in limbo while boss Danny Lennon waits to have his future with the club sorted.
The Buddies' 1-0 win over Ross County on Saturday coupled with the 5-0 drubbing inflicted on Kilmarnock by Hearts the following day was enough to ensure Saints will return for a ninth consecutive season of Scottish Premiership action next term.
But Lennon, whose deal runs out at the end of the month, is still unsure whether he will be in charge when the new season kicks-off.
Like the boss, Goodwin and 12 of his team-mates are also out of contract this summer and the Irishman admits he does not expect to start negotiations on a new deal until Lennon's fate is decided.
He said: "It's all a bit pie in the sky at the moment. None of us know where we are going to be next year and our contracts are up in three weeks' time.
"It's obviously a bit of a concern for everybody involved - the manager included.
"Now that we are safe it will be nice to see if the club will make some offers and people aware of the situation. We have all got families to look after and bills to pay. We want to know where we are going to be.
"The players haven't been told anything. The main focus has been on maintaining our Premiership status, which we've done.
"Now we will wait and see if the board, first and foremost, speak to the manager about his future because it is he who decides on the players he wants at the club."
Source: PA
