Rory McKenzie hopes a Fir Park fightback can inspire Kilmarnock to end their wretched run against Aberdeen tonight.
Killie have lost eight of their last 12 meetings against the Dons who arrive at Rugby Park this evening desperate for Premiership points.
You have to go back four-and-a-half years for Killie’s last victory over Aberdeen – a 2-0 success in August 2018 at Pittodrie with Eamonn Brophy and Greg Stewart on target.
McKenzie would love to be on the right side of the scoreline for a change and is taking heart from Friday night’s 2-2 draw at Motherwell when Killie wiped out the Steelmen’s lead with 10 men.
“For a long time it was Derek McInnes,” smiled the 29-year-old when asked why Killie struggle so much against the Dons. “I don’t know, it’s a completely different Aberdeen team now.
“It’s our first home game in a while and a good chance for us to push on into the new year. This is another game we want to win.
“Initially, it did feel massive [at Motherwell] but when the dust settles, you think it was a great chance to leap above them.
“But if you look at the game – 2-0 down with 10 men – it’s a good point and hopefully we can kick on with two home games to come.
“In a funny way, the situation meant it did become a wee bit easier. There’s no pressure on you any more and you are expected to go on and lose the game.
“Getting the first goal back so early on gave us a lift and then the ball dropped so nicely for Liam [Polworth] that even he was going to hit that!
“There was a freedom and we were moving the ball in a way we weren’t at the start of the game. We are good enough to go out and express ourselves.”
Tonight is Kilmarnock's final game of the year and, for McKenzie, it has been one to remember.
“I would say 2022 was one of the best years of my career,” he added. “It’s the only trophy I’ve ever won – that was the real highlight and I can’t look past that.
“It has been a year of many highs.”
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