Taouil relishing central Killie role

Mehdi Taouil hopes to play a central role in Mixu Paatelainen's new-look Kilmarnock side after returning from injury in midweek. The Moroccan came off the bench for the last 20 minutes of Killie's 6-2 Co-operative Insurance Cup triumph over Airdrie, his first appearance since summer hernia surgery.The result was a major boost to Paatelainen ahead of Saturday's trip to Aberdeen after narrow defeats in the Scottish Premier League by Rangers and Motherwell.Taouil played just off the front players and the creative midfielder wants more chances in that central zone after spending much of his Killie career on the wing."I played behind the two strikers in the number 10 position," Taouil said."It is a position I love to play in. I much, much prefer playing in a central position."For the team I used to play in wider areas, it was for the team so I was doing it but I really love to play in a central position."He (Paatelainen) said that is one of the positions he is using me in this season and I am happy with that."I watched the first two games and I'm happy to see the team is really trying to pass the ball."We did not win the games but you saw on Wednesday that we can score a lot of goals."For me that is the way to play football. Everybody is enjoying working with Mixu."I think it's the best way to create chances, to keep the ball on the deck like the manager says. I'm sure it will work."Paatelainen believes Taouil will be a key component in his quest to improve Kilmarnock's style of play."Mehdi is fantastic in possession, he is a good passer, his technical ability is really good," the Finn said."He has got bags of tricks, he can go past a player, he can unlock defences with his passes."On Wednesday night he showed great footwork in the corner and then produced a great delivery for Conor Sammon's hat-trick. I'm delighted to see him back on the pitch."

Source: Team_Talk