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 28th on Fernandez Resigning....  "The plus for us in the last three or four weeks has been David Fernandez, He looks back to his sharpest. He was never the quickest but he was always sharp and his hold-up play and his use of his body was great against Falkirk. If he stays injury-free and gets another pre-season under his belt, he might just be the difference between us being where we are and being up there challenging. Hopefully, this has been a one-off season. We all start with zero points next season and I think the disappointments of this season will act as a spur. I've still to have the meeting with the chairman and the financial people to discuss the budget. We will sit down and assess squad. You can't keep on adding bodies. Like any other club, you have to make space. I looked at us when we played at St Mirren and Gretna and you think that you need six or seven new players.  Then you put in performances like last week at Hearts and against Falkirk and you think you only need two or three. But we need a bit of freshness about the place. We know the areas we need to strengthen and we will do that. We will lose one or two, we know that, but as long as we replace them..."

May 17th on the Bairns Post Match... "If we'd taken half our chances today, we'd have won 5-1! But at the end of the day we got the win, which is nice to send the supporters away happy for the summer, and maybe's forget about how disappointing the season has been. If we had a goalscorer, we would have won that by five or six.  If we can stay injury-free and add a few faces, we'll be up there challenging next term."
On Paul Di Giacomo...   "Paul's not had the best of seasons, He went out on loan and failed to command a place at Partick Thistle. I gave him another chance to come in and he started all right for a couple of games.  I think he got his head down and lost his motivation for things - maybe he was thinking about something outwith football. At the end of the season, we've brought him back into it and he's come off the bench and got a couple of goals, so we'll be having a decision and a discussion with him. There's one or two other players in that position. To allow players to come in, we've got to make spaces."
On Keepin Taouil..."Mehdi is positive about staying and I will meet his agent tonight. I will get a few bottles of wine into him but knowing my luck he will be tee-total!  Mehdi told me he is desperate to stay but sometimes these boys are controlled by the agents who are trying to get as many options as they can, which is their job. I had a player who told me that he wanted to stay and we agreed terms and then he left. So I will wait until the contract is signed."  Match Report

May 15th on Killie's Prospects For Next Term... "The season we've had will probably be the biggest motivation for next year. By the law of averages we surely won't have the same injury list. If we can add two or three players on top of the young players who have come through this year, then we'll do better. The players don't want to go through what they've been through this year again. So that will be a drive and a motivation. When they return back for pre-season training that is what we will be emphasising to them. We need to get off to a good start and get the momentum going. We've had a horrible season and we've not enjoyed it. The younger kids that have come through, this will help them in their progress, they know what the SPL is all about now.  Jamie Hamill, Craig Bryson and Ryan O'Leary will all benefit, so there is a silver lining.  Hamill has played a lot more than he would have expected. Ryan has had a few injuries and that's hampered his progress.  They've all had more than a taste of it and they'll be challenging for places next season. Iain Flannigan will be eager to challenge next year as he's had a taste of it."
On Signing Abdul Osman From Gretna... "He is only 21 years old and he's one we feel will challenge for the first team and has a lot to come. "We've kept an eye on him for a while. He's a big, powerful lad that can play in the middle of the park. He's got good feet, is a good passer of the ball and has a presence about him."

May 14th on the Signing of Allan Russell... "It's a two-year deal with the option of a third year if he meets certain criteria in the second season. "We still need another striker or maybe even two more as we need competition for places and some players may move on.  There are one or two strikers (Paul Di Giacomo and David Fernandez) where we had options on their contracts if they played a certain amount of games. Injuries have stopped that happening. But, because of the season we have had, we are hoping to tie them up and renegotiate new contracts.  If we can't agree terms, they will go where they accept better terms."

May 10th on the Hearts Post Match...  "It gives us a wee lift at the end of the season, we have not had a lot to shout about because it is a long time since we won a game and it's not very often you go to Hearts four times a year and don't lose to them. It was two good goals we scored and I thought it was a good performance. Just after the start of the second half, we had one or two opportunities. We started passing it better. I thought Hearts were better in possession in the first half but they did not cause us any problems. I think their goalkeeper had more to deal with with Paul Dalglish's crosses."   Match Report

May 3rd on the Buddies Post Match...  "We've let three or four players go away and have operations and we've also got injuries - Simon Ford had to come off today with a hamstring problem for example - so our squad is thin. In the first half, we were doing too much chasing back because we didn't pass it properly. In the second half, we got Allan Johnston in the middle and brought on Mehdi Taouil, who can keep the ball and we did much better. We definitely improved and had a few little chances in and around the box but they fell to people who aren't natural finishers. We probably don't have a natural goalscorer since Steven Naismith and Colin Nish left. They were always liable to come up with a clinical strike. The obvious instances are when Danny was right through at the end and turns inside but gives the keeper an easy save. In the first half, Jamie Hamill had a great chance when their right back slipped. He couldn't score but if it's a striker with that chance, it's a goal.
On the free-kick  which led to Haining's goal...."I think Hamilton has used his experience to get himself a free-kick against young O'Leary because it was never a free-kick - in fact, it was a foul to us. From the free-kick, our keeper Alan Combe has admitted that he gave a shout to his defenders to let the ball come through to him but Haining has nipped in front of him to score." Match Report

May 1st On Allan Russell's Possible Arrival ... "The chairman and his agent are going over the details, crossing the t's and dotting the i's. He had a few choices and he has let the other clubs know that his preferred option is Kilmarnock. It was frustrating that we ran out of time on the last day of the January transfer window, but we made a commitment to him at the time that we would sign him when he was out of contract. In that period, two or three clubs showed an interest. He had to do what was right, talk to them and think about it.  The big advantage we had is he has got a good chance of going in the team and the other thing is he is from the area." 
On Killie's Other Strikeres...."There are one or two strikers (of Paul Di Giacomo and David Fernandez ?) where we had options on their contracts if they played a certain amount of games. Injuries have stopped that happening. But, because of the season we have had, we are hoping to tie them up and renegotiate new contracts. If we can't agree terms, they will go where they accept better terms." 
On Paul Dalglish... "He is unlucky he got injured, But he got fit to play a couple of reserve games and I gave him a run last week, so I have got to make a decision on him very soon."
On Gretna midfielder Gavin Skelton... "He had three or four options, I don't think it's a problem for him terms-wise. But, if he talks to everybody, he will get vibes for what is best for him."

Apr 26th on the Gretna Post Match... "You can see we were missing far too many key players, guys like Craig Bryson, Allan Johnston and Mehdi Taouil who can open up defences.  If I'd have a full squad to choose from then I would have been confident of beating Gretna. We didn't have the creativity to open them up and finish them off, The end of the season can't come quickly enough, but we still have work to do to try to finish as high in the league as we can."   Match Report

Apr 24th on the Gretna Pre Match... "They have had back to back clean-sheets so they have shown they are not just going to make up the numbers. They have nothing to lose and will go out there to give it their best shot. There is no fear about them now. They have lost one or two players but they have some talented boys. They made it difficult for St Mirren and Falkirk and they will make it difficult for us if the attitude is not right."
On Last Weeks Performance... "We have enough responsibility to the supporters to go out there and give it our all and win games, I've made the players aware that the season is not over. That's why their performance on Saturday forced me to bring them in on Sunday and they have been in every day this week. Normally, at the end of the season, you can give them a day or two off when everything is going along fine but they have to earn those days off.  You can't guarantee wins and you can't guarantee how the game is going to go but what you can do is guarantee that your team puts it the effort every week and I didn't think it was good enough last week. Hopefully we show that on Saturday and I won't have to bring them in on Sunday. We have been in the top five for the last two years and those were big games so you have to get yourself motivated otherwise you'll come a cropper, The first of the [bottom six] games was last week and it was a typical end-of-season affair. We treated it like that and that's not right. If that's what it feels like because we are in the bottom six, then I hope it acts as a motivation for next year to make sure we are in the top six and have big games to look forward to.  The relegation issue is settled so there is not a lot to play for in the players' eyes. But, in my eyes, the higher up the league we get the better because it has been a disappointing season. They've got money to earn for bonuses and they have to send the supporters home happy. Some of them are playing even to be here next season and that should be motivation enough."

Apr 19th on the Caley Post Match... "There were a number of players, out of contract at the end of the season, who had the opportunity to show that they deserve new deals. But they didn't do themselves much good. Four players had to have operations while three others we hoped would play weren't fit enough. So I knew we were coming up to Inverness with the bare bones, but I thought it would give me an opportunity to learn a lot. There are players in the squad I am looking at closely, some with clauses in their contracts that if they do not play a certain amount of games, the contract could be cancelled. They should be using these games for that reason and to put on a performance for our supporters."  Match Report

Apr 18th on Finishing Up the Season ..."For us to make top five and a cup final, (last term) we overachieved with what we were working with and what we had to do. You cannot guarantee that every year, and someone always gets a turn. It is Motherwell and Dundee United this year. It's been a bad season for Hearts, but they have the resources to be in there and we haven't, unless someone comes in and ploughs money into the club, The remit is making sure Killie are in the SPL full stop. The top six drives players and management. There is nothing wrong with fans having expectations, but we want to use these games to launch us as it did three years ago. Of our last five matches, we took around 13 points and it gave us a push for the following year as everyone went away thinking it might be our year. We were putting a team together and if we do so again, it will follow a similar pattern. A lot of the boys are playing to be part of it and nothing needs to be said in the team talks. I've told the players it is simple. You want to finish well for the supporters. They have been great to us because they have understood the reasons why we are not in the top six. Also, they have contracts to play for. I've said my job will be harder if they show they are worthy of playing here next year. If three or four come through, I may not have to make as many changes as I felt I might have to a months ago."

April 15th on Signing Gretna's Gavin Skelton... "I've had a chat with Gavin but he'll probably have three or four clubs after him, He is 27 now and has SPL experience. I feel he is a player who can play in two or three positions and that is vital to us."

Apr 5th on the Hearts Post Match...  "You can't lose the players that we have lost in the last couple of years, and have the injuries we have had to key players, and expect the young boys, fringe players and boys we have brought from the lower divisions to walk in and be a team. It's been hard for them but what they have done is found their feet a wee bit now. We've got it in us and we just hope we can steer clear of injury and add two or three players to the squad. I'm sure there is a nucleus there to challenge better for next year."
On Fraser Wright's Red Card.... "I  thought it was a bit soft," he said of the late ordering-off. The lad has played with his strength, Nade is good at that, and if Frazer has caught him it has been a bit soft. I think a free-kick would have been enough. He was a booking away from a two or three game suspension anyway. He was to get a little operation at the end of the season so we will maybe bring it forward. He has a flaked bone in his ankle. He can get through the games but it is obviously causing him a bit of discomfort and it's better to get him fit for the new season."  Match Report

Apr 3rd on the Hearts Pre Match... "In our last six games we've won three, lost two and drawn one. So for a team trying to recover a bit of confidence I think we're on the way up. Hearts have a lot to play for as they're trying to get in the top half and to put pressure on the teams playing on Monday, but we've got our own agenda as we're trying to catch the team above us and to finish as high as possible. If we do that and get some positives out of it for next season it would be a good way to finish and give our supporters a bit more optimism that we'll have a better season than we have had this year I'm looking to next season with the teams I'm picking. I've shown that with Tim Clancy and Iain Flannigan recently while Ryan O'Leary and Jamie Hamill have played a number of games. They're out just now as they need a rest but that gives opportunities to others. You can't fill your team in this league with youngsters but it's given Flannigan and Clancy the chance to show me what they can do with a view to next year. They've shown up great and that might save me a problem in the summer."

Mar 29th on the Bairns Post Match...  "The conditions were difficult today, both pitch and overhead,  It was more difficult to play with the wind than against it today. We played some not bad stuff, kept a clean sheet, but couldn't make the breakthrough. [James] Fowler was the pick of the team today, and the improvement throughout the team might make my summer easier. I may not have to work as hard, and only bring in two or three players, as opposed to seven or eight."  Match Report

Mar 28th on the Teams Away Form... "We've not won away from home for a while, even though we played well at Hibs, so we need to try to get an away win.  I still think we can finish a few places higher. After the split we still have five games and even the team in seventh place are only seven points above us.  So that gives you something to go for. Our immediate priority to win the next game and if results go our way then we could move up another place as Inverness play Aberdeen. We've not won away from home for a long time, Gretna was the last time. There was a spell when we couldn't win at home but we've put that right with three successive home wins. So now we need to take it on and get a couple of away wins between now and the end of the season. You can see the confidence return even against Hibs where we played well but didn't take our chances."

Mar 22nd on the Caley Post Match... "We were very annoyed about a soft penalty award which was just a clash and nothing more but we picked ourselves up and in spells in the first half passed the ball really well. We played far too many long balls which played into their hands though and I emphasised at half-time we needed to get the ball down and pass it. That's what happened in the second half and when we got the third goal suddenly everyone wanted to get on the ball. Some of the quality of the play in the lead up to the goals and other chances was terrific. David Fernandez benefited from playing quite well last week and really caused them problems today. His hold-up play was excellent. We also had Craig Bryson driving forward from the middle of the park - he's always a threat - and young Iain Flannigan and Tim Clancy can be pleased with their performances too. They were given a chance today and they grabbed it with both hands. It was terrific to put on a performance like that. The whole team can be pleased of their showing. Maybe what has happened with Gretna has enabled us to relax a bit more and we just want to maintain the consistency of performance for the rest of the season and finish as high up the table as possible. The challenge is there for the players to make sure they are here next season and if they keep performing like they did today maybe I won't have as much work to do in the summer." Match Report

Mar 21st on Hamill's Scot U-21 Inclusion...  "Last year we brought Jamie in when things were going well, The youngsters who have come in this season have come in during different circumstances. It's easier to blood players when things are going well but people like Bryson and Willie Gibson came in when the team has been struggling. They have come into the team quicker than I would have liked and played more games than I would have liked but Bryson's performances lately have been good and it looks like he is going to be a good acquisition to the SPL. Hamill took his chance last season which made it better for him this year even though he has also played more games than I would have liked. However, his inclusion should act as a spur for the rest of them. Indeed, I was a wee bit disappointed because I thought Bryson should have had a shout because he has been playing consistently well in the last four or five matches."
On Players Playing For Jobs... "We know most of the reasons are the injuries and the players we have lost but there are other boys who have not performed. They should be looking out because we don't want to be in a similar situation next year. Like most clubs, we'll be looking to bring in new players to boost us and there are quite a few who, whether they are under contract or not, have until the end of the season to prove they are worthy of being here next term. You can't just keep adding players and getting people back from injuries. When you work under our budgets you need to make space. We've mentioned it to the players in training and before games so the message gets home. It's up to them, if they want to be part of it, to get out there before the end of the season and win enough games to show there is something to build on for next season. If they don't take up the challenge we'll push on and try to get fresh faces. There are certain ones who will get more leeway but they have to be up for it so we make sure this season does not peter out. They have to play for their futures here. There are players who have not performed”.
On Mehdi Taouil…."I was winding Mehdi up and telling him his mate (Zemmama at Hibs) will be getting a letter for tapping up players! We've had a laugh about it and he's taken it fantastic, he's a great character. He says he's happy here but I've had that situation before when a deal was agreed and the player left, so nothing surprises you. The agent I talk to who represents the people in France are out of the country. We wanted a longer-term deal but they have plans for the lad at a higher level and are looking for an opportunity. We're looking to keep him, though. He'd be good for us for next season as I want to bring in quite a few.
On Allan Russell…. “He has other options. We've had talks with his agent and he'll weigh things up at the end of the season and make a decision. He could have been a Kilmarnock player but isn't and he's now got options. That is part and parcel of the game. It wouldn't be the first player who I have tried to bring to the club and it has fallen through. His agent and I spoke this week and he says he'll speak to Allan. I've asked to be informed because if it doesn't happen, it will let us crack on with something else.It might happen but you can't just wait, you may have someone else you can get. It's a situation we need to resolve and we need some strikers. You can't hang around when others are available and the player runs a risk of something else. It's not just Allan, it's any player."
On Killie's Struggles this Season... "It started with Naismith leaving on the last day of the transfer window in the summer, It looked like we were going to be able to keep him until the next window and so that was a blow to lose him because we had no time to bring anyone in. We actually had lined up a lad called Danny Graham who had been released from Middlesbrough. But when it looked like Steven was staying with us he signed for Carlisle and has been banging in goals for them. So we lost out on two ways in that situation. To lose Colin Nish was also a big blow. He went on the last day of the season as well. Again, we tried to bring in somebody but that didn't happen. On top of that, we had experienced players like David Fernandez, Garry Hay and Jamie Fowler out for long spells,  Fowler got injured on the first day of the season and was out for seven or eight weeks. David Fernandez has been out practically all season and Allan Johnston and Danny Invincibile were also out for lengthy periods. That forces you to put in one or two lads far too early than is good for them just to try and put a side together. Consequently, we haven't had a settled side and that has been the reason that we are down in the bottom half of the league".

Mar 20th on the Current 12 Team SPL Setup... "I would like to see a new league format. The league should be extended because we have to get away from playing each other four times. Years ago it was said we would get bigger crowds in the two home games against Rangers and the two home games against Celtic. That was the main purpose behind the set-up but it's past it's sell-by date. I don't see certain grounds being full when Rangers and Celtic visit in the way they were years ago. We played Celtic in a Scottish Cup tie a few weeks ago and there were six and a half thousand there. Getting back to playing each other just once home and away would be a big help. I'm not sure how many clubs that involves, but certainly playing each other four times makes people switch off. You get to know each other and it doesn't excite anybody any more. Sometimes a change is as good as a rest so maybe we need to look at it. A bigger league would make it easier to survive and we have decent clubs in the First Division. We talk about Gretna's situation and what they offer (to the SPL) but look at some of teams in the First Division like St Johnstone, Dundee and Dunfermline, they are all big clubs. St Johnstone have made two semi-finals in recent years, they have a great little stadium and they are a club that should be in the Premier League. It would help the SPL get back to home and away only which would be good for the game."

Mar 19th on Paul Dalglish's Fitness... "Sometimes these injuries happen when you're thrust into playing after having been out for a spell. You can train all you like and play in closed-door games but in actual games you have to push it a bit and when you've been out for a while you can be susceptible to injuries. Paul's been unfortunate that it has happened but hopefully this injection will clear it up and he'll at least get a chance to play in a few games before the end of the season. We'll make a decision on his future at the end of the season and not before. He's like a few players who are playing for their futures and that's part and parcel of football."
On Rhian Dodds..."Rhian has had a hellish time with injuries and had a setback with his groin problem. He needs a small operation which will be done this week. He started the season well and looked as though he was going to stake his claim for a place as some players had moved on but then he got the injury. Every time he makes an attempted comeback it flares up. We hope this won't be a persistent thing but won't know until we get the results."
Other Squad Members..."We've had a couple of illness problems with Frazer (Fright) and Paul (Jacko). They missed training at the start of the week, so it'll be a case of hoping they recover."

Mar 15th on the Hibs Post Match...  "It was the best performance from Kilmarnock for a long time away from home. We started the game terrifically, never let Hibs get on top and had most of the possession going forward. We were up for it from the start, we were winning tackles and didn't let Hibs dominate us.  Then we found ourselves one down in a game where we should've been ahead.  We looked like we were going to score rather than concede another in the second half. Hibs have got what we have not got at the moment and that's a cutting edge. That's something we have to address for next season."   Match Report

Mar 13th on Gretna's Predicament ... "Everyone's thoughts are with the staff and the players," said Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies. "A lot of people will struggle as they have mortgages to pay. Other clubs may lose a few points but I don't think that is a major issue. The main thing is the players and the staff as they could be jobless. Whether they jumble points around is not an issue for us, the most important thing is that Gretna have an existence and my thoughts are with their players and staff. I hope they can get through to the end of the season. Gretna have had a fantastic few years but they were reliant on Brooks, they didn't have the fan base or the stadium and unfortunately Brooks took ill. That just shows you it's a thin line,"

Mar 1st on the Buddies Post Match ... "Saints are always a difficult side to break down and the fact that we have drawn our previous two games at zero this season is evidence of this. They put us under a bit of pressure in the second half but that's what can happen when you're only one goal ahead. We had two important players - Alan Combe and David Lilley - back for this match and their experience was invaluable. The boys have earned a couple of days off next week as we are not involved in the Scottish Cup on Saturday. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off when we play Hibs at Easter Road, a week on Saturday."  Match Report

Feb 29th on the Buddies Pre Match...  "I told the players it wasn't acceptable and I'm looking for a reaction. They got a standing ovation coming off against Aberdeen but against Gretna the supporters weren't slow to show their dissent, but the players admit they deserve that. The fans have been fantastic to the team and they understand the situation, they understand we've lost players. The fans voiced their opinion, and quite rightly so, when they team was 3-0 down. The fans had been great but they were entitled to get at the players. It's done and we've had words but we're still in the best position, it's in our hands and we need to do something about it. If we put a shift in we've got quality to hurt teams; if we don't then it stands for nothing. You can't just rely on your ability."

Feb 27th on the Gretna Post Match... "I thought we played well in the opening stages and believed it was only a matter of time until we scored, However, after the first goal we had a crazy 18 minutes that left it very difficult to come back from. We committed suicide. If you're 3-0 down at any level at half-time you have got your work cut out. At half-time I sent them out early after a few choice words. Gretna did everything right and played well but we lost the plot and never really recovered. You could say we won the second half 2-1 but that counts for nothing." Match Report

Feb 26th on the Gretna Pre Match... "We should be looking at them and above them. If they slip up, we've got to keep winning games. We've got the ability, and we've certainly got the spirit and determination, and we didn't look like a team who were second bottom of the league on Sunday. If we can keep it going for the rest of the season we can catch not just one team but maybe two or three above us. Remember, at the start of this section of games we played all top-four sides. We've now got a run of games where we feel we're well capable of picking up enough points to finish the season well. If we don't make the top six we'll regroup and go again but the most important thing is to finish well and give ourselves a bit of a platform to go and build on next season. We've done magnificently the past few seasons but we've lost players and had to go and find more. We've had a season which has not gone our way but that's no cause to say there's a crisis or there's panic. We'll get ourselves out of it because we've got the players to come back fresh and ready to go."

Feb 24th on the Dons Post Match... "Craig Bryson was the best player on the pitch by a mile,  Two goals, an assist, into everything, great composure, good feet, he worked his socks off. When you bring a lad up from the lower divisions you want to give him time to adjust and he never really had that. So maybe in his first three or four games he was a little quiet but we didn't have any options. But he is the one thing to come out of it and has shown he can play in the Premier League, and he'll take some shifting if he keeps performing like that. He has a tremendous engine, he is strong and has good feet. He has also got the legs to get across and protect the full-back as James Fowler does on the other side. It wasn't just an important win, because it has been long overdue. It was the manner in which we won. We played some fantastic football and got it down and passed it and created a number of chances. I thought we were outstanding. We had some decent chances where we just couldn't get the last touch. We could have scored more goals. We are happy with the win and really happy with the performance."
On the Dons Consolation Combe OG... "Frazer maybe could have cleared it but he got a shout from Alan and Alan thought it was coming through to him, but (Darren) Mackie was sharp and just flicked it before Alan got there. They will be disappointed but at least we lost it while we were 3-0 in front." Match Report

Feb 22nd on Killie Staying Up...  "We're not looking at hypotheticals involving Gretna. We have enough games to rely on ourselves and if we win the next two or three it won't be a problem.  We play Aberdeen on Sunday and Gretna on Wednesday. On paper we should be able to secure the points that would take us away from the threat of relegation.  We've had three-quarters of our team missing for much of the season. But one or two are making their way back from long injuries and that's making the situation a wee bit better. I'm not concerning myself about anything at the moment other than Kilmarnock getting back to winning ways".
On the Gretna Pre Match... "We are short, up front Gary Wales was injured last week and doesn't look like making it this week. So really it leaves us Paul Di Giacomo and David Fernandez, and Danny (Invincibile) is an option through the middle. Getting another recognised forward isn't easy outside the transfer window but Paul (Dalgleish) was available. He has been training, he is maybe a wee bit rusty, but he played for the reserves the other night and scored a goal, so I think he has got a good chance of being involved."

Feb 20th on Gary Locke's Knee...  "Gary is causing us the most concern but hopefully in two or three days it will have calmed down.  We'll need to wrap Gary in cotton wool because he's a big player for us. It is a problem he has and that's why we've been limited when we can use him. Even if he's trained hard it can flare up. It's unfortunate we've not been able to use him more because you can see the big difference he makes to the team."

Feb 17th on the Gers Post Match... "I couldn't ask any more of them, I couldn't have any complaints about the way we played today and I don't think the goalkeeper had to make too many saves. We didn't get cut up like we did a few weeks ago against Celtic and you have to give us credit for that. There was a lot of spirit and determination and no shortage of ability, there was some good football today. I've a lot to be encouraged about and, if we can do that from now until the end of the season, there will be no problem." Match Report 

Feb 16th on Signing Paul Dalglish... "With Colin Nish leaving, he is what we need and we will have a look at him until the summer."

Feb 15th on an extended Contract for Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Taouil ... "We're looking at Mehdi but it's not all one way. He has to show we need to make him a good offer. However, he's been at top clubs in Nuremburg and Montpellier and has played for Morocco and you can see why. He has loads of ability and keeps the ball.  When you're on the kind of run we've been on you need people who can get on the ball and create something and he comes into that category.
On Team's Form... "It's time to stop using injuries and lack of confidence as excuses. I was heartened by our performance at Motherwell when we were 10 seconds away from a great result against a good team."
On Kris Boyd... "If Kris was still here he'd be in my team every week because he's a goalscorer and we don't have the luxury of being able to leave them out but he's working in different circumstances now.  Walter has other players who can bring other things to his team but I'm sure they won't be leaving it there with Kris - they'll be working with him on the training ground. When Kris was here he had a lot to learn and improve upon. Now he's at a big club he has competition and there are greater demands from the manager about how he wants Kris to play because he's under pressure to get results."

Feb 14th on the Board Providing Funds To Upgrade the Squad... "We know we've got to look at where we go in the future and that can be done at the end of the season. Then we can re-address what's needed to be done to take us forward and get back to the two or three years where we've had success. We know how to do that, whether we can or not will be down to our discussions. I'm sure they've learned their lessons over the last few weeks that you can't keep losing good players, that you have to replace them with good players. We have to relent a wee bit in taking these steps and I'm sure they'll do that. At this moment we should be discussing getting enough points to pull out of trouble sooner rather than later."
On the Team's Plight... "We're frustrated because when you have success you want to go to the next level, but if you keep losing your good players and are relying on finding somebody, that doesn't work all the time. You can't guarantee it because if you could then you'd have no problems. Some youngsters come through that are exceptional like Naismith and Boyd. Guys like Gordon Greer and Peter Leven did well for us, Momo Sylla was a top SPL player but circumstances off the pitch made it unworkable. But he was a good player we lost. To find them in the lower divisions takes time and we've asked them to do too much too quickly. You like to bring them in when we're doing well but that's what we've had to do.  I'm not disillusioned but these are the hard facts and until someone comes in and invests so we can challenge and replace these good players, these are the discussions we have to have. I'm not saying we can't get out of trouble because we have the quality to do that. But these boys have had to learn the hard way."
On Allan Russell as a target for Kilmarnock  (Jefferies hopes to have the player signed on a pre-contract agreement) ...“I was planning on meeting Allan’s agent last week. but I was off with the flu, Hopefully, I will do that this week".
On Bas Savage... "The position with Bas is still the same. Based on what we saw in training and in the reserve game against Rangers, he is lacking sharpness, so we offered him the chance to train with us for a few more weeks and to maybe play in a few more reserve games. We haven’t heard back, and the matter is further complicated as he’s told us he’s talking to another club. With every day that passes, it does look to be less likely that he will take us up on the offer.”
On Playing Rangers on Sunday... "Yes we’ll go into Sunday’s game as underdogs,” said Jefferies, “but if we can get our game together then we’re capable of beating anyone in this league. A result against Rangers would give us a massive lift for the games over the next few weeks.”

Billy Brown Feb 9th on the Well Post Match... "The result is certainly a real sickener and a kick in the teeth because I thought we deserved a point for the way we fought, but we didn't do well enough when we had possession of the ball. In all honesty, though, in the past three years we've scored late goals, and we've scored a lot of them at Fir Park, so unfortunately it's our turn to be on the other end of it. There are no problems with any players at the club - their spirit is fantastic and if it comes down to fight and heart, we won't be in trouble. Life doesn't get any easier when you're down there but in our position we need a concerted effort by everybody connected with Killie and everybody who is Kilmarnock-minded.  We're in bother so everybody has to man the pumps and fight for the cause."    Match Report 

Feb 7th on the Fans Backing...  "I want them to get behind the team. We have had a bad run and to get back on track we need to roll up our sleeves and get results and having the supporters behind you definitely helps. These things make it difficult for the players because it is a distraction. Fans are expected to have their opinions but you need everybody pulling together. I am not having a go at the fans but on match days we should focus on getting behind the team."

Feb 2nd on the Celtic Cup Post Match... "The difference in quality between the two teams is there for everyone to see even before the game so, if you give them too much room, they will destroy you and that's what they did today. Alan Combe was so exposed today. It wasn't his fault. If it hadn't been for him, it could have been more. We had a team talk to say we had to compete for everything and I felt we just sat back, We started 4-3-3 but quickly it ended up 4-5-1 and we were screaming at the wide men to push forward. We began to play a bit better, but the goal at the start of the second half made it a real uphill task. We're not in the best of form and confidence is low at the moment, but there were no league points at stake, and we thought 'we've nothing to lose and everything to gain'. We only had five or six players who came out of the match with credit, I think the rest can look at themselves tonight and say they never put it in, and if you've got that many players not playing well, you get punished."  . Match Report 

Feb 1st on the Celtic Cup  Pre Match... "We have to be well organised, compete well and - since we're at home - get in their faces. You've got a better chance at home, but they're still difficult opponents. We've been heartened by the last few games against them. We've given them a game of it and not made it easy for them. Maybe we're due a wee break, and maybe this might be the time. You never know in cups. We beat Hearts 3-1 in the league at Rugby Park, and then on the Wednesday no one gave them a chance against Celtic in the CIS Cup. But they went there and won 2-0.  You never know in football - who would have thought Havant and Waterlooville would have led twice at Liverpool when no one even gave them the chance of getting a corner. Cup football can be a strange game. It's a one-off, and we could get battered but score a 25-yard strike - or we could have a good performance and still get beaten. I'd rather not play well and get in the next round, but you have to play well against Celtic if you are to have any chance because they have quality players. We've given them a run for their money, so maybe we're due a wee turn - and if it comes on Saturday we'd be delighted. If you get a draw in your favour you can find yourself in the semi-final - and then who knows?  The pressure was all on us on Monday night, and we responded brilliantly. Those are never easy games, and our track record in these kind of games is not the best. The players were really up for it - and the best comment we got was from Airdrie's manager, who felt they went out with a whimper. Airdrie could have caused us problems, but we never really allowed them in the game. We were determined, and that's the kind of spirit we need between now and the end of the season. Now the pressure swings on to Celtic because they're the favourites - they are the favourites wherever they go."

Jan 30th on Colin Nish Signing a Pre-Contract with Hibs... "We got informed of that this morning. Players are now allowed to go at the end of their contracts and he's had a few offers and he's agreed to go to Hibernian. I don't think any player intentionally goes out to particularly concentrate on where they are going, but I think subconsciously it does affect their performances and we will just have to wait and see if it does affect him."

Jan 29th on the Celtic Pre Match...  “We have gone from being the favourites (Vs Airdire) and having all the pressure on us, to all the pressure being on Celtic.  We gave them a hard game at their place a couple of weeks ago and now we are at home, and we've always run them close in the last couple of years. It's set up for another terrific effort for us."
More On the Airdrie Post Match … "It has given everybody a lift. I told them this game was about attitude, commitment, application and desire and, if they don't show it, they will come a cropper like everyone was expecting us to do before the game. Getting beaten wasn't an option and they knew it. They were thoroughly professional and I thought we should have killed the game off in the first half because we had such terrific opportunities down the right-hand side. I'm not going to be too hard on them because I said to them I would take them not playing great football as long as they got the sleeves up and got us through to the next round. The prize is huge for us, not just to get through to play Celtic, but for our own belief, confidence and spirit.  But it's only a start and the application and determination needs to be there every week. No disrespect to Airdrie but there will be much tougher games ahead."
On injured goalkeeper Alan Combe… "He has a chance. (to make Sat) He got clattered on Saturday by Frazer Wright and has some bruising. Forty-eight hours is the usual time to recover and there are still a few days to go so we are hoping he will be all right."
On Chad Harpur making his Killie debut …  "Chad Harpur didn't do badly, he looked fine. He wasn't under too much pressure and he didn't have a lot to do other than when he was asked to make a great save. If it hadn't been for his finger-tips, the ball would probably have been in the back of the net, so he can be pleased with that."

Jan 28th on the Airdrie Post Match...  "You were all here expecting a shock, and I don't blame you. When you are down there, and with the way things are going, you worry about the confidence. I had the players in for a serious chat yesterday and told them that, starting tonight, we needed to show attitude, commitment, application and desire. Getting beat(en) tonight definitely wasn't an option."
On the Nish Latest... I've not had any offers - I've had plenty of people telling me they are going to speak to his agent. What I can say is, if there is anybody out there thinking that we are going to let him go prior to the transfer deadline because he is out of contract at the end of the season and we are going to let him go for some paltry figure of £30,000, £40,000 or £50,000, it's a no-goer. I would rather keep the player for two reasons. I'm not going to see the money anyway, and the other reason is that we need the player more than the money - unless it's something really, really exceptional."  Match Report 

Jan 27th on the Airdrie Pre Match... "We held a meeting with the players this morning and told them when it comes down to ability we should have enough about us to beat Airdrie. We're down where we are mainly because of injuries but that is something we can do nothing about. I have challenged them to prove they have the stomach and fight for these matches and roll the sleeves upto try to grind out a few results. We have to forget about trying to win games playing pretty football but instead have to win ugly for a few weeks to get ourselves out of the situation we are in and get our confidence back. We have to match Airdrie in every department as we can't afford to give them any encouragement whatsoever in this cup tie. If we are sloppy and don't show the right application and do the right things then Airdrie may get the sniff of a result in their nostrils. We lost to Morton in the Scottish Cup last season and Hamilton in the League Cup this season and that should stand the players in good stead as I have told them to go out and make sure they don't experience that feeling again. We have to grind out a result in this cup tie and give ourselves alift not just for this one match but for the rest of the season and that is the question I have asked of them. I know they have quality in their ranks as the last two or three seasons have shown but we are now in this situation as we have embarked on a bad run and it is up to the players to show big hearts to get themselves out of it. Airdrie will not treat us lightly and they know we will be up for it but I will be extremely disappointed if we are not a tough proposition tomorrow."

Jan 26th on the Arabs Post Match... "It's a confidence thing. We are down and there is pressure on us which affects our ability on the ball. For the first hour we made too many mistakes. Players were frightened to do things on the ball. The second goal was a gift. We are a goal behind, they are under pressure, we get a free-kick, we pile everybody in to their box and then we take it short.  Then our players pass it short and we lose possession and then they break away. These things are not what the players are told to do, they just go in to a different mindset. When time is running out, you get it in the mixer because their defenders will feel more under pressure. It's little things like that we need to change."   Match Report 

Jan 25th on the Arabs Pre Match... "Relegation is a reality not just for us but for St Mirren and even Hibs and Hearts have been dragged into it. The only way to get out of it is by picking up points and winning games. We're at home and the attitude of the players has been terrific. They've rolled up their sleeves and we're prepared to battle our way through this difficult time. We're getting players back fit now and they're on the training ground. That means more competition for places, so the boys that have the jerseys just now have to play well to keep them out. At home we've got to look at this as a chance to win the game and we're well capable of putting a run together. For the points that we're ahead of Gretna, we're the same number of points off the top six. It'll be a tough game against Dundee United. They are a good side and with Barry Robson back and in good form it'll be a really difficult match."

Jan 22nd on the Airdrie Pre Match..."We'll be training in the afternoon before the game, going through things. We won't just be turning up as we normally do for midweek games. We should learn our lessons from the Hamilton game and the Morton match last season. Those were banana skins and so is Airdrie because Kenny Black has his team playing good football."

Jan 19th on the Celtic Post Match... "They had some really good chances but Alan Combe was brilliant and I'll never know how he is not in the Scotland set-up. He has been consistently good for a long time and he was outstanding today. I do know why it is but I will keep it to myself. But I know it's not about ability. Overall, I was happy with the players' application, we just didn't ask enough questions. I was disappointed that we lost the game in the manner that we did but you can't blame Martyn, he thought there was a Celtic player behind him." Match Report 

Jan 18th on the Celtic Pre Match..."It is 50-odd years since we last won there so there is no pressure on us. It will happen again one day, maybe in the next game or in 10 years' time. We got a point there on the opening day and that was no surprise. It is sometimes better to play them in the first game when they have had little time to adjust. But we played well that day, we did the right things, we defended well and got the breaks and I think we deserved the draw. There is no doubt that they have players at a far, far better level than I have. But with good organisation, hard work and belief then who knows what can happen? They will be better than us over 38 games but we have run them close in the last couple of seasons."

Jan 18th on the Colin Nish Latest ..."I'm a little bit disappointed that he has not committed to us. I remember when he was released by Dunfermline and he came here. We stuck with him when he wasn't the most popular player. A lot of fans have now changed their opinion of him, he has done a good job for us. But it's not a case of him owing us, footballers are like that in this day and age because it's a short career. I'm long enough in the game to know that some players want to move on for money. The strange thing is that, in principle, he accepted an offer from us. He's got a dilemma now. If you are happy at a place and you are enjoying your football you have to gamble that against getting a few pounds more and it maybe not working out."But if it is money he wants then he will go. Colin will only move on during this month if it is an offer we can't turn down, If we don't get that kind of offer then I will keep him here and use him when I have to."

Jan 10th on the Airdrie Pre Match... "We have drawn some corkers in the last couple of years, Hamilton were flying high in the First Division and were tough opponents, especially on a surface they play on. They acquitted themselves well and got the goals at the right time. Last year Morton were unbeaten at home. We took the lead and looked as if we would go on and win it. But one moment of slackness lets them back in the game and gives them a lift, and that's what can happen with teams like Airdrie and Hamilton. If you give them a sniff of a chance then they get lifted and they get you on the back foot and cause you all sorts of problems. The best way to handle it is to concentrate, compete hard, keep the tempo up to what you are used to week in week out in the Premier League - and hope you have got too much for them. But we won't get it easy and we will have to battle for it. The players want to go as far as they can, It's a big game at the end of the season to look forward to. It shows it can be achieved when you look at some of the teams that have got to finals - Gretna, Dundee and Dunfermline. It can be done if you get through and get the rub of the green with the draw - four or five games, and suddenly you are in the final.

Jan 9th on the Colin Nish Situation ... "We feel now, with the Colin Nish situation, we might look out for a striker. Hopefully next week I can have a look at someone, I'm waiting on word back. He has played in the Premier League but he is considering an offer from another country. It's a striker I feel we need to add a bit more extra.Hibs were good enough to give us a courtesy call to say they would be in talks with his agent with a possibility of a pre-contract. There is nothing wrong with that, that is what any player is entitled to do. Sometimes you can go elsewhere and get a couple of extra pounds and sometimes it might not be the right move. While he seems happy with the contract, you have always got a little bit of hope but I don't know what happens nowadays. It's the agent that runs the players, in this case he seems to be telling him what to do. If somebody makes me a good offer for a player who is out of contract then I would consider it, that is for anybody. But if I don't get that then I am in no hurry. I wouldn't see the money anyway so it is pretty irrelevant to me. We have already pulled in £1.9million for (Steven) Naismith so it's maybe better having the player. I'm not actively trying to push Colin Nish out the door because I don't want to. I've made him an offer, he says he is happy with it, he says he likes it here and doesn't want to leave, so I'm a bit confused."
On Re-Signing Mehdi Taouil...  "He has been a great find. We would like to keep him longer. His agents want him to play at a higher level but we've got him until the end of the season and you never know. He's still adapting to Scotland but gets on the ball and he's learning."

Jan 5th on the Hearts Post Match... "We played well in the first half, we were stretching them and looked comfortable, We were comfortable until the goal went in, then suddenly the game changed, the crowd got behind them and their players got a lift. We played right into their hands by giving the ball