Travelling fans will not recognise many of the Killie team, indeed few of those in the home stands will be familiar with the players in blue and white. Lee Clark’s brutal culling of last season’s eleventh placed side was followed by a photocall that revealed eleven new signings.
His trawl through the English lower divisions led to a humiliating exit from the Betfred Cup that included a loss to Morton and a goalless draw against Albion Rovers followed by a defeat in the penalty shootout. Both games were at Rugby Park and boos followed the team up the tunnel.
Rumours about Clark’s future at the club are gaining currency despite him being in post for only six months but we must be wary about talk of disarray at Rugby Park.
Expectations in the away end will be curtailed by the loss of a couple of first team regulars. Moult has weeks of recuperation ahead while Lasley has to complete the suspension he earned at the end of last season. Blyth has agree light to resume training.
McDonald and Johnson will bear responsibility up front and they may be joined with Ainsworth. Chamlers has already deputised for the club captain and he is likely to join Cadden in midfield. Clay has made a couple of appearances in the League Cup and the manager seems keen to get him contracted. Our back line already has a stable look about it and we can expect Tait, McManus Heneghan and Hammell in front of Samson.
A late goal from Moult won the match on Motherwell’s last visit to Kilmarnock and a repeat of the 1-0 result would give us a fine start to season 16/17.