Manager’s pre-match preview: Dundee (A)

Derek McInnes feels it was the “right time” to bring Robby McCrorie back into the starting XI.

The Kilmarnock boss made a big call to replace Kieran O’Hara with McCrorie who has been out injured for a number of weeks.

He says it’s an opportunity for McCrorie to perform and stake a claim to keep the starting spot.

McInnes said: “I actually think Kieran’s done well, obviously the nature of the second goal last week was disappointing though.

“Robby’s been back training two or three weeks, it’s hard for the manager to decide when he brings the other keeper in.

“I just want a standard, a goalkeeper in there, I think Kieran in the main has done well, but at the same token, it’s an opportunity for Robby today.

“Just because Robby comes in today doesn’t mean to say he’s got the position, he’s got to perform, and he’ll get the same judgement and grace as Kieran had, so it’s always a big decision between the goalkeepers, but I just feel maybe it’s the right time to bring him in.”

McInnes also opened up on the decision to start David Watson after his two goals last week – insisting it was an easy one to recall him into the XI.

He said: “Yeah, I think Davey’s now started nine games in the 12 or 13 games we’ve had, so he’s a really key player for us.

“I’m mindful I’ve still got to make sure that we get those optimal performances from him, when he came on last week he was different class.

“The first goal, the overhead kick, shows again the technique, and his second goal was very much the type of goal you would expect from him, and that’s what he is, he’s a proper running number eight, he backs himself to score goals.

“He’s done well, so obviously it was an easy decision to play David today.

“Obviously Deas comes in at the back for Findlay, he’s not quite recovered, he should be OK for the Rangers game in a couple of weeks, Liam Polworth’s calf problem is a wee bit more than we thought on further investigation from a scan, so he might be out for the Rangers game, but we’ll try to get him back for Ross County.

“So a couple of changes through injuries, but at the same token, the team is a strong team, a lot of boys are familiar to how we were last season, good legs and power through the middle of the park, ball carriers on the side and the front too, hopefully they can provide a punch for us today.