Kilmarnock manager Lee Clark has urged his players to treat their five post-split Premiership matches as the biggest of their careers as they look to avoid finishing in the relegation play-off place.
A 3-0 victory for Killie at home to St Johnstone in their last outing has given the Rugby Park outfit renewed hope that they can avoid an end of season decider after closing the gap on 10th place Hamilton to four points.
The first of those matches is at Inverness in Sunday’s televised encounter – with games against Hamilton, Patrick Thistle, Dundee and Dundee United to follow.
And former Birmingham City and Blackpool boss Clark insists the enormity of the five matches should not be underplayed.
Clark said: “We’re absolutely set up for them, we know what they’re about and we know what’s at the end of it.
“We have to treat them like the five biggest club games of our careers.
“Some lads are at the start of their careers and some are at the end. Obviously, I’m a manager with a lot of experience but these go down as the five biggest and the most important so we have to treat them that way.
“We can’t rest on our laurels – we want to set the bar higher every time we play. I don’t want them thinking we’ve had one result and that’s it done – far from it.”
Clark, meanwhile, has praised experienced striker Kris Boyd for forcing himself into his plans after the former Rangers marksman, who has started the last three matches, notched a brace in the victory over Saints.
Clark, speaking to kilmarnockfc.co.uk added: “Kris has found a new lease of life, he looks fitter and he’s getting around the park. He is obviously reaping his rewards with getting goals and he is playing much more of a vital role than just scoring for us.”
