If it came out of Killie boss Jim Jefferies mouth then you'll find it here (if it was picked up by the press.  Dates shown are dates reported)......

May 7th on the Hibs Post Match... "We deserve it, we've been fifth for most of the season. It was a great finish in front of our own supporters and I thought we played some great stuff.  The extra £70,000 helps the club as the higher we finish, the more we get. The players can be well satisfied and coming fifth speaks volumes for the squad. It has been hard ever since I have been here, but we accept it and get on with it. We finished seventh last season and fifth this year. It'll be hard to top that, but we'll consolidate and try to do better."   Match Report

May 6th on Next Term's Needs..."One of my problems is I have a few players who are going to be out injured long-term and even though I know my strongest team one or two of them are going to be out at the start of next season. It leaves us short at the back so we'll need to try to bring in a couple of people over the summer. I know what my back four is going to be next season but I don't have anybody to come in if someone gets injured. There will be players starting next season on the treatment table so it's a priority to make a few signings even though we don't have a lot of money.  We will try and strengthen and bring in cover especially in defence. It's hard to criticise my players when you consider what they've had to go through over the last two or three years. But we haven't just scraped by, we have been consistent while playing some great football. The players have been a credit to the club and themselves this year, only losing to Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Hearts. Nobody else has been beaten us which is a great achievement for a club like ours given what we've had to do in the last few years. I'm proud of that and I'm sure Billy Brown, the rest of the coaching staff and the supporters are too."
About His Upcoming Break... "The pressure is not long in coming round again. You know you're going to enjoy a little break, try and forget about it, but, in this job, most managers will tell you the phone goes when you're on holiday - and you have to pick up your messages. Things happen all the time at the club. You're enquiring about new players and you want to keep your finger on the pulse. You can switch off from the day-to-day business when you are a player, but not when you're a manager because the chairman still wants to get hold of you, agents, the secretary and you have to deal with it. Three years ago, we set this plan out, improved last season and have improved again. That is the satisfying bit for me. The whole squad has been a joy to train and they give everything. It was nice when Tommy Burns told Billy Brown we deserved the recognition we've received. It's been a fantastic season for us. The pleasing thing has been the football we've played. The Killie supporters get criticised for being hard to please, but a lot of them understand what's happened over the past few years and appreciate watching the team. We lost Kris Boyd, our top goalscorer, to Rangers, but we didn't fall away."

May 5th on the Hibs Pre Match...: "Aberdeen lost at Hearts last night so we must win at the weekend and hope that Celtic can do us a favour. We have made fifth position our own for most of the season and even if Celtic draw and we win at the weekend I think we can take it. We've a lot to play for and it means a lot that we've played against the top teams in the country and got in amongst them. It was always going to be hard to get points, but a win on Sunday would top off a really good season. I hope the fans come out and get behind us and appreciate what we've done this season. One more good effort and then we can enjoy the summer."
On Next Term... "We have done it on a shoestring budget but we feel we'll be in there to challenge for the top six again next season. It's my job to make sure the players believe this wasn't a fluke. They are good enough so why can't we do it again next year. It will be harder next season because the other teams will try and improve and will come strong again."

May 4th on the Celtic Post Match... ""It's hard to criticise the team because they have been excellent this season, In fact, they have been better than that - they've been different class. We knew when we got into the top half that they would be tough games and I've been really pleased with the way they have applied themselves in the previous three games. But against Celtic we had nothing to lose yet played nothing like as consistently as we have this year. For some reason we looked to be in some sort of shell. I think the fact it was a low-key affair and the atmosphere was pretty quiet contributed, but if ever we had a chance to go to Parkhead and win it was last night." Match Report 

May 2nd on the Celtic Pre Match... "We will go there and have a go. But we know we haven't won there in more than 50 years, so obviously it won't be easy. We have performed well in the three games after the split. We gave Hearts a good match at Tynecastle and we  could easily have won at Aberdeen but only got a draw. Against Rangers at the weekend we were comfortable for a long while when we were 1-0 up. Then a few little things went against us, not least that they got a deflected goal before going on to win the game. We've equipped ourselves very well in those games, and I feel that maybe we've just not had that little rub of the green. If we play as well in the next two games then I hope we will get a break. The players certainly deserve it, because they have been magnificent this season."

Apr 29th on the Gers Post Match... "I can't fault the players for effort, they gave  everything today. But Rangers showed more determination to win the ball in the air on three occasions and that's what cost us. We have given a great account of ourselves this season and hopefully we can keep that going in the last two games." Match Report 

Apr 28th on the Gers Pre Match... "There is an expectation among Rangers and Celtic fans for their side to win every game they play in. And now Rangers have the added incentive of the Champions League place to go for. They have also pegged Hearts back to just four points. But we are keen to do something we haven't managed this year - getting a point off one of the Old Firm teams. We are at home and will be giving it our best shot.We still have fourth place to go for and wins against either Rangers or Celtic, as well as Hibs in our last game, would give us a real chance. The club gets more money the higher up the league it finishes. Finishing in fourth would be worth at least another £50,000 to Kilmarnock.
As far as I'm concerned, that is another two players for next season. When you only pay about £600 a week in wages, it is worth a lot."
On shackling former player Kris Boyd ..."We can't just concentrate on Kris. We have to worry about Dado Prso and Thomas Buffel, too."
On Danny Invincibile's New Deal..."We've shaken hands on it. The contract is in the hands of his advisors now. The only players I still have to speak to are Gary McDonald and Stevie Murray,"

Apr 27th on Kris Boyd's Return to Rugby Park on Sat...."I'm sure he'll get a good reception from the Killie fans. The club tried their best to keep him but we couldn't turn it down. He'll not get any stick because he did a great job for us and that's only right. "Kris was due to get a percentage of the transfer and while the figure we got was maybe not as much as we would have wanted Kris gave us half to put into youth development. But we just hope he puts a few into the stand and doesn't hurt us but that's easier said than done."
On the Club's Finances...“This time last year, we were sitting here and I was worried that we were not going to have a club at all, However, the chairman [Michael Johnson] put a business plan into operation and now we no longer have to go to the bank with cap in hand, saying we are struggling to exist. The chairman budgeted for us finishing seventh. There was also the chance that we could have lost Kris Boyd for nothing, if he had stayed on and left this summer as a free agent. We also had a figure in the business plan if we sold Kris in January and we managed to get a bit more money from Rangers. We have calculated the gates we will get for the remaining games and the best-and-worst scenario we are talking about is around £150,000 to £200,000, However, then we have bonuses to pay out just for getting into these positions. An extra £50,000 for finishing even one place higher would get me two players, in terms of wages. So the higher up we finish, the more chance I have of improving the budget to bring someone else in. The highest we can finish — if results go our way — is fourth and, although that might not be good enough for Europe, we still want to achieve it. We know it will be a tough task. Our next two games are against the Old Firm and we need something out of them, maybe, even win one of them. We want to go into the last game against Hibernian with a chance of being fourth at the end of the season. We have been very entertaining to watch, We have won more games in the Premier Lague and scored more goals than any other previous Kilmarnock side. People have enjoyed it and word has got around. We could still do with a few more people coming to watch us, but a small increase is better than nothing.” 
On Frazer Wright... “Frazer’s success makes you feel satisfied, I looked at him and thought he would never make a Premier League player — even the other players were sceptical — but he has surprised me. You have to take into consideration, this was someone who spent seven years as a part-time player. I knew he was not ready for the first team. He found that out the hard way. We played so well against Celtic recently and we have just given him a new two-year contract. That shows what can be achieved by players from that level, but also that we can find players who are not on high wages who can do a job. I  told him not to throw away his tool box, “You never know when you will need it. I have seen plenty of one-season wonders in this game.”

Apr 22nd on the Dons Post Match... "We were really comfortable for most of the game. We played some good stuff in the first half, There weren't many clear-cut chances in the game. Aberdeen had a good spell but we weathered it. To be fair to both teams it was a difficult swirling wind that was causing problems. Some of our play was good but we just didn't get the breaks near the box - but I can't complain about the way we played. Probably in the end it was a fair result. We're unbeaten against them and we've been up here three times so I think it's a big point for us. We've been in the top five all season and we're there on merit."  Match Report 

Apr 21st on the Dons Pre Match..."We have had a draw and a win up there and we have beaten them at home so we will go and try to beat them again. There has been a lot of pressure on Aberdeen to get into the top six and they have come with a great run lately. So they will have some more confidence and belief after making it (the top six). Our first target was to finish in the top six and now we want to finish as high as possible, There is a great race on between Hibs, Aberdeen and ourselves for fourth place.  Hearts look like strong favourites to keep their second place and qualify for the Champions League but you never know, they could lose against Hibs at the weekend and Rangers could win against Celtic and it's all to play for again. But even if we make fourth and there is still no European place because of the way other things go, then it will still have been a fantastic season for us."

Apr 20th On Next Term's Squad...  "I won't have any money at all in the summer to spend. That's why I am trying to promote this Coca-Cola promotion along with the girls in the office and some of the supporters. They are trying to get people at the club, their aunts and uncles and everyone they know to participate because the more texts and e-mails that go in, the more chance there is of winning. The prize is £250,000 to buy a player and I think we're eighth in the table at the moment in terms of fans who have entered. Brighton won it last year so we need a push between now and the closing date and, if we do win, then that's money which can go towards bringing a player in. Gary Wales and James Fowler are putting pen to paper today after a few weeks of negotiations. Danny Invincibile has agreed verbally and we're sorting out one or two details with his agent and that will be done shortly. Initial talks have taken place with Gordon Greer. He's not had a chance to talk with his agent, but will get back to me soon. The agents have been terrific to deal with, they know the days of big agency fees are gone, certainly at our level. They understand that and have been very co-operative. Because we got into the top six this season, it doesn't mean we can go back to some of the wage levels we've been at before and the players know that. We've increased their money minimally as a little reward but what we have done is give them some extra security with two-year contracts. And the players have told their agents they want to stay here because they are happy. They like the way (assistant boss) Billy Brown and I operate, they like the way they play the game and the way they are looked after. The good thing is everybody is happy, they get on well and want to stay together. It is feather in our cap. When you build a side, you have to get the right characters and the right balance and we've done that."

Apr 15th on the Hearts Post Match on Invincible being through on goal ... "The best person to ask is the referee. Danny is an honest lad and he said that he got in behind the defender and his legs were clipped. The problem was that if he had given the foul he would have to send the man off because it was a clear goal-scoring opportunity. We didn't get the break (Naisy's chalked off Tic goal) last week and it was probably around the same time, 43 minutes. There must be something about the 43rd minute so I won't be taking that number in the lottery." Match Report 

Apr 14th on Steven Naismith being named SPL Young Player of the Year..."Steven Naismith got the young player of the year and that was fully deserved, I would rather he got the award than myself. He burst on the scene last year and he looked a terrific prospect but we handled him quite well and didn't play him in too many games. He was a young player just coming in and that's all part and parcel of how to handle young players. You can see it's benefited him because this year he has come onto the scene stronger and with no confidence problems. He has done extremely well and has played a major part in the club's success this year. I know there were one or two who were worthy contenders but I think he was the unanimous choice and he is a fantastic prospect."
Apr 14th on the Hearts Pre Match... "Fourth place could be decided when we play Hibs in the last game of the season but I'm sure Aberdeen will have something to say about that. Who knows where the points are going to come from? We have to beat Hearts for selfish reasons this weekend so that we can get the reward for Kilmarnock and our players and hopefully get into fourth place. It won't be easy because Hibs and Aberdeen are also involved and it's going to be a great battle with some tough matches ahead.  I don't think any team goes to Tynecastle and gets it easy.  Hearts are a hard team to beat there and the place is jumping just now because of how well the team is doing and they are playing some good stuff. We've had two tight matches there so we can take some belief and confidence from the fact that we've made it difficult for them. They're a good team so it won't be easy but we will be up for it and if we play well it will be a tough game for Hearts."

Apr 13th on Gordon Strachan being named SPL Manager of the Year..."When you have been in the game as long as I have, you realise how hard every manager has to work, Gordon is a worthy winner. He came to Scotland for the first time as a manager and has changed Celtic's style of play. They were very successful under Martin O'Neill, who is a legend at the club, but the team were probably a bit more direct under him. Gordon has done an excellent job."

Apr 9th on the Celtic Pre Match... "The scoreline didn't reflect the effort we put in. We were never completely out of the game because we had some really good chances and had a perfectly good goal chalked off. We also had a great chance at 1-0 when Naismith was right through and he toe poked it wide with the goalkeeper out of his goal. He just didn't quite catch it. At 2-0 we had a chance again to get back into the game which would have made it 2-1. Then Celtic scored a couple of late goals which I thought was a wee bit harsh. But if we are going to win games like this then we need to have perfectly good goals stand and also take our chances. We were punished for it but we would have taken a big lift from going in 1-1 at the break. The replay proved Naismith was two yards onside so that should have stood. We need the wee breaks chasing fourth spot but that could be crucial." Match Report 

Apr 7th on the Celtic Pre Match...“I am flattered, If people think that I am worthy of consideration, (for manager of the year) then that is great, but I would swap any award for fourth place in the league [and a Uefa Cup place]. If it were up to me, then every manager would get an award. It is a hard job. If Gordon gets the manager of the year award, he will deserve it, The job he has done at Celtic has been fantastic. People said he got off to a bad start. He got a lot of stick. However, they have to remember it was not his team that lost 5-0 in Bratislava, it was Martin O’Neill’s. You can’t argue with Gordon’s record. He has won the title with six games to go, with a 20-point gap over one of the best Hearts teams in recent memory and a bigger gap over a Rangers side that got to the last 16 of the Champions League. I don’t think Celtic will take their foot off the pedal, Gordon may have one or two injured players he was keeping in the side until they got over the finishing line, but the Celtic supporters demand their team wins every game. I expect a strong Celtic side. We have to learn our lesson from that night  I have told the players that it’s a new ball game over the last five matches. So far, we have received the plaudits for our good season and our exciting football but now we are going into the top level with Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibernian and whoever comes into the top six with ourselves. Getting to fourth place was hard but staying there is even harder, as the Hibernian game showed. We’ve not beaten the Old Firm this season. We lost narrowly here, 1-0 to Celtic earlier in the season and 3-2 when Rangers came to Rugby Park. However, it is not the be-all, end-all. Dunfermline have beaten Celtic this season and drawn with Rangers and have been fighting against relegation all season. I’d rather have the points, from whatever teams, that get us into Europe."

Apr 5th on the Hibs Post Match...  "I thought that we might get a point out of the game but Hibs were sharper and hungrier than us. Hibs upped the tempo and we went to pieces in the last 10 minutes and conceded two goals which were avoidable. But I can't have too many complaints because Hibs were probably better than us on the night."   Match Report 

Apr 5th on the Hibs Pre Match...  "I don't go into work every morning worrying about being manager of the year. It's nice to be linked with it but there are a number of people who are worthy of it.  Put it this way, I would give it up if you could guarantee me fourth place and a place in Europe. There is a real battle between Hibs and ourselves for fourth place. It's going to be a tough run-in for all the teams but it's great to be involved. People were tipping us for relegation but we got into the top six and now we have a chance to get fourth place. When you face results like Hibs did (Hearts Semi) that, the first thing you have to do is get it out of your system. They have a game a few days later and they will want to make amends for it.  To be fair to (Hibs boss) Tony Mowbray, it was not the strongest Hibs side so Hearts were always going to be favourites.  But Derek Riordan and Paul Dalglish will be available again and Hibs are always a tough team. They will be stronger and will want to make up for it so we are expecting nothing other than a tough match. But, the way Kilmarnock have been playing, it's a tough game for them too."

Apr 3rd on Having to Pull For Rangers (To Finish Ahead of Hearts)... "I'm at Kilmarnock now so, for selfish reasons, I hope Rangers finish above Hearts. I just wonder what will be said if we go to the very last day of the season and we've clinched fourth, we play Rangers, and Rangers win to finish second. But we won't think about that just now. It's too far off. We will just concentrate on making sure we compete very well for that fourth place spot. That's the target now and it could be good enough but we just don't know how it' going to pan out. If we finish fourth in the league but we haven't taken a point off Rangers and Celtic, so what? It means we have handled everyone else very consistently. You can only be in the position we're in if you have performed consistently well. What we have done is run Rangers and Celtic a lot closer than we have done in previous years. That's a massive improvement."

Apr 1st on Fraser Wright's New 2 Year Deal... "Fraser had a tough time of it when he first came to Kilmarnock because he looked out of his depth and this was affecting his belief. But he knuckled down and showed a great determination and get what was required of a Premier League player. Frazer got into the team in October, he has progressed well and has been an ever-present ever since. The biggest thing was making him believe he could play at this level and, while he still has a bit to learn, he is doing exceptionally well. That is why we have rewarded him with this contract, which will be incentive-based over the next two years,"

Mar 25th on the Arabs Post Match... "If somebody is standing two yards in front of goal in an offside position then whether he touches the ball or not, he's definitely interfering with my goalkeeper. We are a wee bit aggrieved about the scenario, but there's nothing we can do about it.I'm sure the officials will look at it afterwards - and maybe they will see that, according to everybody, it should not have stood. It did - and it came after losing a goal early in the second half when we had dominated the first half and been very comfortable. We did say to the players that they would probably get a bit of a going-over at half-time - and at 2-0 you've got to get through that 10 or 15 minutes and knock the stuffing out of them a bit, because they will come at you. To lose a goal so early - we gave Dundee United a massive lift - then to lose a goal like we did so quickly after it, you then think this is going to be test. We could lie down and feel sorry for ourselves, but we showed some character to come back - because I thought we created three or four really good opportunities in the second half. If any team was going to score at 2-2 it would be Kilmarnock."  Match Report 

Mar 24th on the Arabs Pre Match... "Maybe the pressure is off as far as reaching the top six is concerned but we have got to make sure that we keep the good standards that we have set. We have been very consistent and are still in the hunt for finishing higher than just the top six. And every position in the league that we go up means more money and more coverage for us. We also still have a chance of getting a European spot with our league position and so will keep going."
On SPL 4th Not Getting A UEFA Cup Spot... "If a club in the lower divisions or in the lower end of the SPL wins the Scottish Cup I think they should get into Europe as a reward. But it's a wee bit unfair for them to get a European spot if they get to the final and  get beat. I think that a team that has battled into fourth place after 38 games at a higher level is more deserving than a team which has won five games or so in the Scottish Cup. No disrespect to the two clubs but I do not think Gretna or Dundee have met an SPL club in the competition yet. Fair enough, that's the luck of the draw, you take what you get and you have to win these matches. And I am not in any way decrying them, it's great what they have done but if they get beat in the final then they have not achieved anything other than reaching a final. A team that has performed week-in, week-out at a higher level is more deserving." 
On Alan Johnson's Form... "Allan has been magnificent. We all knew he was a class act but he struggled when he came here. He came through that sticky spell and has been brilliant this season. A lot of our young boys have been rightly praised but Allan has played as well as he ever has. He had to take a big a big pay cut which tells you a lot about the man. There is no doubt he was well looked after earlier in his career but he has come to a stage where he is enjoying his football again.  A lot of people in his situation wouldn't have the hunger he does. It says everything about his character. A lot of guys play out their time with a last contract but not Allan.  I wouldn't grudge the likes of Stilian Petrov, Craig Gordon or Paul Hartley if they won the Player of the Year award but for me Allan has to be considered. He hasn't just helped on the park. He is keen to stay in the game and has done a bit of coaching".
On This Seasons Form... "At the end of End out last season I thought we had come through the bad times and felt there was some light ahead of us. We are only three points behind Rangers and it's a fantastic achievement. The most pleasing thing is we have done it by trying to entertain. We've shown we're a decent side and have played some great football."

Mar 23rd on the Hearts Managerial Opening... "I'm not interested in being linked with Hearts and I will if I make a comment about it. I'm totally focused on Kilmarnock and finishing as high up the league as possible. I've been consistent throughout the years. I've been linked with a number of jobs in the past and I've always said I have no comment to make. Sometimes, the club has got a manager, sometimes, they haven't and to comment on any job would be disrespectful. The only time you comment is when you are asked, then you can say 'Yes, I'm interested' or not."

Mar 18th on the Bairns Post Match... "It was important we got a result from this game to secure our place in the top six and all credit to the players for achieving that. Maybe we don't always get the credit we deserve, but we just quietly get on with our work. People didn't take us seriously at the start of the season, so, to be where we are right now, is very satisfying. To be in front of Hibs and in fourth place at this stage speaks volumes for how hard the team has worked. We have been consistently good and have shown that, when we have to score goals, we can do so. We know now we will finish in the top half of the league and our aim must now be to get as many points as we can from the remaining games and take it from there. The pressure is off us now, so there is nothing to prevent us having a real go for a UEFA Cup place." Match Report 

Mar 11th on the Gers Post Match...  "The players had nothing to lose today but they frustrated me after having a fine season, We were poor for most of the game and looked frightened to play at times. On The Penalty/Sending-off...."Alex McLeish and I were in agreement at the time when it happened. I thought it was a penalty - Combe caught Lovenkrands, there's no doubt about that. But to send him off, it has to be a goalscoring opportunity and my defenders have told me they were far nearer the ball than Lovenkrands. He wasn't getting the ball. I've said to the referee that we will appeal against it. Dougie (Referee Dougie McDonald agreed to view footage of the incident again and Jefferies hopes the red card will be reduced to a yellow.) has been fair and said he will have a look at it. If he thought Lovenkrands was going to put the ball in the net, then he's not going to change his decision and I understand that. If he looks at it and sees that he wasn't going to get the ball, and it wasn't a goalscoring opportunity, he might rescind the red card and make it a yellow.  I'm not debating the penalty at all but it was harsh to send him off."  Match Report 

Mar 10th on the Gers Pre Match... "Our players earn a fraction of what any of their players earn. That's because Rangers are a big club and they have got that wealth. That kind of thing is a fact of life in Scottish football. But it does show you the magnitude of the task clubs like ours have in competing with the Old Firm But there is a big prize for us when we play them. If we can pull off a shock result our reward will be to go third in the league and that would be phenomenal for a club like us.  We know that we are going into a tough game, let's not kid ourselves. They still have quality players and are still challenging for second place. They got to the last 16 of the Champions League and Villarreal did not beat them in two games. But if we play as well as we can then it will be a tough game for them."
On his former striker Kris Boyd.... "If you look after Kris then you will let others in. It doesn't matter who plays for Rangers, we will keep on doing what we have been doing this season."

Mar 9th on Boyd's Miss in the Champions League..."Unfortunately, though, he did not get the connection he wanted. If it had gone in he would have been a hero but it was just one of those things. Ally McCoist was a great goalscorer for Rangers but he missed as well. Strikers are only human. But Kris is a strong type of guy and there is no doubt he will score more goals for Rangers. Hopefully, we will keep him quiet on Saturday. It will be the first time he has faced Kilmarnock since leaving us and the boys know all about his qualities which is a good thing for Kilmarnock. They are well aware how dangerous he is. But at the same time we won't be going to Ibrox just worrying about Kris. Rangers have a lot of very good players as they showed on Tuesday night. But if we play as we can we will give anyone a game."
On Steven Naismith's Maturity & Future..."Steven is very level-headed and, even though he is a young boy, he has already invested in some property. Some young players who are living on their own might go off the rails, but not Steven. He still stays with his parents and sees it as an investment, which is a good way to start when you are that young. But there is something special about him. I've seen a lot of good young boys come through the ranks - especially when I was at Hearts - and Steven is up there with Gary Naysmith, Paul Ritchie, Gary Locke and Allan Johnston. He has a fantastic attitude towards the game. He wants to get to the top and he will get there. But Jefferies insists he will not stand in Naismith's way if a bigger club decides to make a move in the future. It was pretty easy to get him to sign again because he wanted to stay. He had two years to go on his current deal and we tried to make it a bit longer than four years, but, in the end, we negotiated a deal that suited both parties. Steven enjoys his football here and, if he plays well, he knows we might not have him that long anyway. If a huge club comes along, we really cannot stand in his way. But we're delighted he sees his learning process continuing at Kilmarnock and, hopefully, we will have him for a couple of more years at least."

Mar 4th on the Pars Post Match...  "You will get games at this stage of the season where the three points are more important than any displays. We can take a lot of credit for the performances this season. We were without Steven Naismith and Gary Wales and had two lads - Gary Locke and Paul Di Giacomo - coming in for the first time in a while. I thought we played some really good football in the first half, but, at 1-0, the other team is always in it.  With us not scoring early in the second half, that clearance (Greg Shields the ex-Killie defender cleared a Di Giacomo header off the line) changed the game for Dunfermline. It was a fantastic clearance and, at that point, the game would have been well and truly over. But it seemed to spark Dunfermline into putting us under a bit of pressure. When it's only 1-0, human nature takes over. We knew this was a really big game, because with Aberdeen at Celtic and Motherwell and Inverness playing each other it was a chance for us to make a giant step. I told the chairman beforehand I would take a rubbish performance and a 1-0 win, but it wasn't a poor performance. I thought we played well in the first half."
On having a nine-point lead over seventh-placed Aberdeen with just five games left .... "You're asking them to win all their games and us to lose ours and I don't see that happening. We just have to concentrate on getting to the top six as quickly as possible. Hibernian are only one point ahead of us and Rangers two ahead and we'll try to give them a run for their money when we get into that top-six place."   Match Report 

Mar 3rd on the Pars Pre Match... "They are a good team. They have been a bit unlucky with injuries this year but they beat ourselves and Hibernian to get to the CIS Insurance Cup final and you only get there because you earn the right.  If they had had their strongest team on the park, they wouldn't be in this situation.  I've been in this game long enough to know there are no easy games. People might think it's a formality after the way they got thrashed but I watched them last week and they got their pride back. They fought well and got a deserved point. Everybody will be thinking about the Celtic game and how they put so many goals past them but it was a one-off for me. They came back well last week, they are determined, they are fighting for their lives and they will give it their all. We will have to play the way we have been playing - if we drop our standards, it will be a difficult match. But, if we play as well as we can play, then we know we are going to give Dunfermline a very hard game."

"If we keep playing the way we have been, we can beat anyone, Whether it's Dunfermline, or anyone else, they are going to get a hard game from Kilmarnock just now. Even in defeat, we have been playing well and giving teams a hard game. The target is to get another three points and we want to ensure staying in the top six remains in our own hands. Everyone thought we would fall away when Boyd left but we have scored more goals per game since he's left than when he was here. I said at the time I didn't see it upsetting us because there isn't a lot of change. It was just one player who left and everyone else had to make up for that. We would love to have Kris but the rest of the lads had a chance to show what they can do and they've done that well. This league has been terrific this year. We have seen some great games and some really tight situations. Even though Celtic are strong favourites to win the league, there is a great fight on for the rest of the places."

Mar 2nd on Goals for this Term ..."Our aim is to be in the top six but I know the players are looking above us. They're saying 'we can catch Hibs and Rangers' so why not try to do that between now and the end of the season? We have to keep winning games because we know the teams above us are well capable of winning games. The teams below us are also waiting to pounce if we slip up, We know we are doing well but I don't know whether anybody actually believes we can finish third our fourth. I don't think they'll take us seriously. But we are in with a shout if we keep playing the way we have been playing and we might just surprise a few people.Hearts and Hibs are having a great season but there is hardly ever any mention of Kilmarnock and we are only one point behind Hibs and two points behind Rangers, It just shows how well we are doing and we are in a very good position. That's down to the belief and confidence we have, as well as the way we have been playing, and we need to continue that. I don't think we have had a lot of credit for the way we've played football but, right now, it's all about getting the wins."

Feb 21st on the Squads Euro Ambitions... "The players have been speaking about getting into Europe. We knew if we won on Saturday we'd make inroads into the teams above as Rangers were playing Hibs. We've still work to do to clinch a top-six place as Inverness had a great result and Aberdeen are on a good run. But the players are looking ahead as they want to catch the teams above. Qualifying for Europe would be fantastic considering we are in the third year of a business plan and at the start of the season many people thought we would struggle. Even to be talked about as being in contention for Europe is an unbelievable achievement considering what we've gone through."

Feb 18th on the Livi Post Match... "The balance of the side is excellent. I look at the boys we had in the stand today and I think that is one of the reasons we've done so well this season. Alan Combe, Gordon Greer and Rhian Dodds were all out injured and Gary McDonald not stripped because we wanted to have wee Stevie (Murray) on the bench in case it was a little bit flat and we needed a lift. We've only had to make an odd change or two and when we have had to, the boys that have come in have done an excellent job. Lindsay Wilson, for example, has come in for David Lilley and doesn't look out of place. He's come in and been a real find. He's not played in Scottish football before but he was probably our best player at Inverness last week and it looks like he and Danny (Invincibile) have played together all their lives. I thought we started the game extremely well and with a wee break here and there could have been 2-0 up before Livingston had got their goal. The goal was a setback but it didn't upset us because this team has done it time and again this season. We kept doing what we were doing well and our passing and movement was killing them. We've scored some good goals this season but the first was a good one and the second was just a topper - it was passing and movement at its best. It's what we do all week in training and to see it done on the pitch gives you a lot of satisfaction. We didn't let them get back in the game and John's only been there a few days and it will take time for him to get them playing as he wants." Match Report 

Feb 17th on the Livi Pre Match... "We know they'll get a lift (new manager Robbo coming in) but hopefully we can handle it better this time. It's a big game for Livingston but it's a massive game for Kilmarnock. We have a chance to close the gap on the teams above us as Rangers and Hibs are playing each other. But we certainly can't think it'll be a formality, what's happened at Livi will actually help us because we know they'll improve after the changes."

Feb 14th on Extending Naismith's Contract..."Steven still has two years on his deal but there is a clause in his contract that meant we'd renegotiate after he'd played a certain number of games. He's not been on the same level of wages as the other boys but he will be brought up to that now. We're looking to tie him up on a four or five-year contract which will keep him at Kilmarnock until 2010. He's got a great attitude to the game and is very level-headed off the field."
On Combe and Invincibile...."We're speaking to them both and we're confident something will happen this week."

Feb 11th on the Caley Post Match... "Before the game, we were thinking, if it was a draw, then it wouldn't have been a bad result. But, with the way we played, we have thrown two points away. One daft moment of indecision allowed them to score their first, then we gave Dargo far too much space in our area to put Inverness into the lead, before we conceded a needless corner with five minutes remaining which allowed them to score again. I thought our goals were well worked and we are always liable to score goals because we are a team who creates a lot of chances. And Gary Wales and Colin Nish are a good pair who have done well upfront since Kris Boyd left for Rangers. However, if we can win our next two home matches, then we should still make it into the top six." Match Report 

Feb 9th on Gary Wales's Form... "He has had to be patient because Boyd was in there getting goals but I said when Boyd left Gary would move up the pecking order and he is getting back to his best. His two finishes were excellent. When you get to a place he is comfortable with he can enjoy his football again."

Feb 8th on the Well Post Match... "Going by Motherwell's comments about looking to close the gap, I felt it was going to be very close, We kept patient, kept working and plugging away and we got a reward with two great finishes. We gave them two free headers at the end but got away with it." Match Report 
On a Top 6 Finish..."If we can get the points now and get them as quick as possible then the pressure is off us. If it takes us a couple of points nearer Rangers too than that's great.
On Skora's Debut...."I wanted to bring Eric on for a second debut but Combe's injury scuppered that. There's plenty of time for him but right now it's hard to get into the team."

Feb 6th on the Well Pre Match... "We are at a stage now where there are eight  games left before the split after the match on Wednesday. If we can win a couple of games quickly, then it is going to make it very difficult for the teams below to catch us. We are in a good position and must take advantage of playing at home and take a giant step towards being in the top six. Other teams are battling to get in there and they are not going to make it easy, so this will be a tough fixture. We are expecting a very difficult match. Terry has said often this season that he doesn't know which Motherwell's side is going to turn up for games. Last week, they turned up in the semi-final and were very unlucky not to go through.  Recently, against both halves of the Old Firm, they have given a decent account of themselves, but there have been one or two games where they have let themselves down. But there is not a lot between the teams based on the way they played in the semi last week and it should be a really cracking game. We are focused on getting a win and taking another step towards a top-six goal."

Feb 5th on a Scotland "Call-Up" for Kris Boyd... "What really amuses me is that people are suddenly realising he's international class now he's changed the colour of his shirt. He was doing it week in, week out for months at Killie."

Feb 3rd on His New Players Fitting In... "We have been doing very well recently, so no-one will find it easy to just walk into the team. It will keep the players on their toes, though, now that there's more competition. If a change is needed through injury, I'm confident they will do well. All the new players are getting on fine. They all seem to be slotting in fine and that's good news for us. Things have been going well this season and we are still trying to achieve a place in the top six so it's good that we have been able to add to the squad to help us do that."

Feb 1st on New Aussie Signing Lindsay Wilson...  "I had a good look at Lindsay in training and saw enough to see he's athletic and commanding. If he forces his way into the side at Kilmarnock he could be a very powerful defender for us. I know we've got a hungry player. He is keen to prove himself because he has not played so much during his time at PSV.  Like all Australian players he's got the added incentive of a World Cup year. Lindsay has been involved with the Australian set-up before and he will be looking to force his way back into the squad. If he plays regularly for us and reaches the level he is capable of, he will have a chance." 

Jan 31st on Eric Skora's return..."We had Eric on loan from Preston a couple of seasons ago and he was terrific for us. He did a great job and the supporters thought he I was outstanding. He was a popular player I and hopefully he can be the I same this time. If he does well I we can talk about an extension for a couple of years. We've kept tabs on him I and while Eric had offers from I clubs in England, he wanted to come back to us. He picked up a knee injury which kept him out for a while but he's had that scanned and it's OK. He had a setback with a cartilage operation but he just needs to get fit again."

Jan 30th on Life After Kris Boyd... "Kris got a good portion of the goals for us, but the others have started to share the goals among themselves. Kris's transfer does not change the way we play, it just means others have to finish off the chances."

Jan 29th more on the Dons Post Match... "Aberdeen did well last year and Jimmy tried to take it forward and signed some good players. They've been a wee bit inconsistent while we've been very consistent.  We've brought players through over the last couple of years when we've had tough times. We wanted to blood the young boys while bringing in one or two bargains along the way to help them and it's worked tremendously well."

Jan 28th on the Dons Post Match...   "It was a great point and we have showed a few times this year that we have the resilience to come back despite falling behind in games. This goes back to a poor first half performance we had at Dundee United last season when, during the break, I suggested we just ask the referee to end the game to allow us to get back down the road. We came back to earn a draw that day and we’ve done it half a dozen times since then. Aberdeen got a break for their second goal and I feared it was all over - but typical Killie this year we came back. That was a better point for us than it was for Aberdeen. We always go for a win, but we knew it wouldn't be a bad result to get a draw in what was a massive game for Aberdeen as they looked to close the gap on us.
On Lilley's Late Snafu...“I thought he should have hooked a clearance with his left peg but he was woefully short with a header. I think he was still in the clouds from getting the equaliser, but fortunately Alan Combe got him out of jail with a terrific save from Smith.”   Match Report 

On the Skora Latest..."We are in talks with Eric Skora just now, who we had on loan before he went back to Preston. We plan to give him a medical over the weekend and although it is not a done deal it is very close to coming off. He is very keen to come to us and Billy Davis was good enough to say that if he was to ever let him go then Kilmarnock would be his favoured destination. Eric will keep a lot of players on their toes if he signs and we know if we pick-up some injuries or anybody loses some form then we will have a quality player to bring in".

Jan 27th on "Magic's" Form... " Allan is enjoying his football and he is a lot fitter. He is playing with an enthusiasm he has not had for a few years because of injuries and not getting a game. But he is a central figure for us. If you are asking me if he is good enough for Scotland, the answer is yes!"

Jan 26th on Signing Giorgos Fotakis, (right) 23, till the end of the Season...  "He's a wee bit away from the first team and there are other people ahead of him, But I thought I would give him a chance. He's not going to cost me a lot of money and if he does get into the first team it will be a bonus."
And Australian 26 year old defender Lindsay Wilson from PSV Eindhoven... The 26-year-old right-back has spent the last four years in Holland but has not played a first-team game. I will be chatting with him and his agent to find out what the scenario is, Can I get him on loan? Can I get him until the end of the season? Is he going to leave PSV and want a longer-term deal?  "All these things have still to be discussed."

Jan 21st on the Hearts Post Match... "We heard Graham Rix saying that if both teams play well then they will win easy and we talked about that. But if one team plays really well then the other team doesn't get a chance to play well and I think that's what happened. We played so well we never allowed Hearts to get on top of us, they created very little compared to Kilmarnock who were very dangerous. It was the best performance of the season and we thoroughly deserved to win. Hearts couldn't have complained if it had been 3-0. Gary Wales missed a chance to give us a cushion and then, as they were pushing forward to get an equaliser, Colin Nish got a gift which he missed. But even though Wales and Nish missed sitters they worked extremely hard for the team. We had some outstanding performances and it was thoroughly deserved."     Match Report 

Jan 20th on Hearts New Signing Neil McCann.... "There is no doubt he can still cut it. What you have to be aware of is he can appear to be out of the game and then suddenly burst into life and do damage to the other team. He is a good acquisition for Hearts, especially if they lose Rudi Skacel. I don't know whether he will start the game or not but I'm sure he will have some part to play and we will be prepared for him."

Jan 19th On Pawel Buskiescw as Kris Boyd's replacement... "Pawel's mobil