Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has challenged his side to go on the sort of late burst for the top six that helped earn them a European spot last season.
Killie slipped to 11th place in the Scottish Premiership when they lost 3-2 to Hearts last weekend.
However, they are only five points away from the top half of the table and McInnes believes they can launch a late push.
McInnes said: “It feels as if there’s a lot on the game and there is, with nine games to go before the split. There’s a realisation that if we are going to be a top-six team we really need to get going with that.
“The time for finding our best form, digging deep, not feeling sorry for ourselves about injuries and decisions and really just to crack on and get results.
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“We are only two wins shy of where we were last season and at this stage we went on a brilliant run and accumulated 18 points from the last nine games. We feel we have to do something similar – 15-16 points from the last nine games will give us a chance of the top six.
“It’s important we maximise everything we have got and get the home support right behind the team. Rugby Park is pretty special when the team feed off the fans.”
