Neil McCann feels Kilmarnock in ‘really good groove’ as survival battle resumes

Neil McCann believes Kilmarnock are in a “really good groove” as they resume their William Hill Premiership survival battle at Hibernian on Saturday.

The Rugby Park outfit enjoyed back-to-back league wins for only the second time this season before the international break, with victories over leaders Hearts and bottom side Livingston, with two clean sheets to boot.

With seven fixtures remaining, Killie are in the relegation play-off spot behind St Mirren but only on goal difference, and three points behind Aberdeen, with Livi 12 points adrift.

McCann, who took over at Rugby Park in January on the back of a 14-game winless run for the Ayrshire side, assessed his side’s situation.

He said: “I’m aware of it, clearly, I have to be aware of it, but just looking at where we are now, I think we’re just in a really good groove in terms of how we’re feeling about ourselves and the way we want to play.

“We’ll probably have another wee meeting today actually, just in fine-tuning because I still think we can get much better.

“But I think we’ve found a good place where we’re defensively structured but still retaining a real good threat.

“I’m hoping that the fans are enjoying what they’re seeing just now.

“I think where we are right now, is that we always wanted to make sure we’re in the fight here.

“I said about being in a new league when I took over the job. I haven’t actually looked at what that league looks like, but we’ve had a few wins within it and that’s really positive.

“I think the biggest thing for me coming in here with Billy (Dodds, assistant) was to eliminate the fear that maybe was existing.

“Fear is maybe the wrong word, apprehension may be a better word to use and just let the boys get back to enjoying their football, being brave because being brave is going to get results and we’ve started that but we’ve got so much work to do.

“We’re nowhere near where we want to be and Saturday is just going to be another example of how hard it’s going to be for us this season.”