Gary Locke talks about the mood in the Killie Camp ahead of
the season opener at Easter Rd.....
"It's a nice easy start for me and I imagine I'll get a fair bit of
stick down there as I always do but that's part and parcel of the game
and I look forward to playing against Hibs as I do against every team.
"My record at Easter Road has been reasonably good over the years.
I won down there quite a few times with Hearts but since I came to
Killie, I've not had as good a record. I don't think we've won there
so it's important we try to change that.
"But it's going to be a difficult game, they'll be well up for it,
it's their first home game of the season and they'll want to get off
to a good start.
"It's very important for us to get off to a good start as well
though because if you get a few wins under your belt, it breeds
confidence throughout the team.
"Last season showed everyone can beat everyone else so if we can go
on a wee run then hopefully we can be up there."
"We had a good time in Italy, the boys gelled well together
and it was good for team spirit.
"We had three games and it was hard work, which was good in terms
of the fitness so everyone is optimistic about the season ahead.
"We played a lot of good stuff last season but we weren't taking
our chances and we were leaking goals. Some of the goals we lost were
pretty poor defensively.
"The manager has said we need to tighten up at the back and if we
can do that, we'll always score.
"But it wasn't just the four boys who play at the back, it's
defending as a team from the front and as a midfielder you have to do
your bit as well so we have to tighten up in that respect. If we can
do that then I'm confident we can have a good season."
