Source: PA
Paatelainen not getting carried away
Mixu Paatelainen insists no-one at Kilmarnock is reading too much into their success so far this season, even though a win against Hearts would take them to within six points of third spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Paatelainen claimed his number one priority when he took over the hotseat in the summer was ensuring survival after the Ayrshire club had previously flirted with relegation.
But Kilmarnock have proved to be one of the surprise packages in the SPL this term and, instead of battling the drop zone, they could be pushing for a place in Europe if they can maintain their recent form.
Next up is a major test in the shape of Hearts, who sit in third place behind the Old Firm, but Paatelainen was keen to temper expectations.
"We want to finish as high up as possible but we don't get carried away," he said. "We do realise where we are, we realise we have a good spell behind us but also that there are difficult days ahead of us as well.
"We will keep working hard and emphasising to the boys the things they are doing right and we also want to improve on our weaknesses. As long as we do that, we have a chance of a relatively successful season.
"We are delighted that we are there at the moment and hopefully we will be there at the end of the season but we don't know that. We just need to keep our heads down and keep it going."
