Derek McInnes says Kilmarnock must handle their own business in top-six chase

Derek McInnes has reiterated that his Kilmarnock players must rely solely on themselves to attain a top-six spot in the William Hill Premiership this season.

Killie beat struggling St Johnstone 3-1 at Rugby Park last weekend to make it two successive wins for only the second time this season, leaving them in seventh place behind St Mirren on goal difference, with seven games remaining before the split.

There are only 11 points separating third-placed Aberdeen – Killie’s opponents at Pittodrie on Saturday – and 11th-placed Dundee.

McInnes, who guided the Rugby Park side to fourth place last season, is focused on chasing a place in Europe more than evading a relegation battle but will again not be relying on favours from elsewhere.

McInnes said: “I’ve always tried to remain positive through some difficult results and injuries and stuff like that and I still believe that we’ve got to have the mindset of just trying to be a top-six team.

“If you’re in the top six, you’ve got a chance of Europe, of course, and we’ve got a points tally in mind that we think gives us a chance, that’s attainable for us with the games remaining.

“But we’ve got to perform each game as it comes, there is a different challenge up at Aberdeen on Saturday, to the one we had here against St Johnstone.

“And some games are a bit more difficult to win than others but you have to do a lot right to win games in the Premiership, particularly this season, with how tight it is.

“And we just need to focus on our own performances, focus on what we can deal with.

“And anytime I’ve spoken to the players over the last few years, (I’ve said) don’t be dependent on others. Others will let you down.

“It’s just up to us to deal with our own business and I think if we can take that responsibility on, meet that responsibility head on, then I believe there’s good things to happen for us this season.

“We need keep the motivation high and stay positive, because I think the talent’s here to win games in the Premiership but I do think that keeping your squad as healthy as possible can make a difference as well.”