Derek McInnes impressed with Matty Kennedy form but still looking for more

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is not surprised to see Matty Kennedy thriving.

The winger netted Killie’s second goal in a 2-0 victory over former club Aberdeen at Rugby Park before celebrating in front of the visiting fans.

Kennedy has now scored three cinch Premiership goals this season since his return to Rugby Park, the same amount he scored in three-and-a-half years at Pittodrie, where he also played under McInnes.

“His performances have been really good of late,” the Killie boss said. “He has got real quality if you give him enough of the ball.

“I think he can score more goals but I liked his position for the goal. It capped a strong performance from Matty, he was really good.

“He had a few injuries when he was at Aberdeen. After I left, he had a really bad back issue.”

McInnes utilised him as a right wing-back for Aberdeen given Jonny Hayes was a regular starter on the left.

“He is better off the left,” McInnes said. “There are always reasons for not being at your best but he was someone I always wanted to work with.

“He puts umpteen crosses in and the way he makes half a yard for himself is a wee bit of a throwback. He is an out-and-out winger. He has got to be more than a provider, he has to score goals as well.”

Kennedy’s departure was part of a major transformation of the Dons squad last summer which saw a full team of new players arrive but Aberdeen manager Neil Warnock has already identified an area that needs improving after four league games without a win since taking over.

“I know what I have got and there is nothing I can do about that but there will have to be some different types of recruitment,” said Warnock, who claimed his players were “too nice”.

“We need some physicality when we come up against teams like Kilmarnock. We need that desire sometimes.

“I think there will be a lot of ins and outs. I think they knew that before I came. That hasn’t just happened overnight, has it?

“Having said that, I think three or four of my players in that team, we’d have a decent team. It’s not like the end of the world. It’s opened a few eyes about what’s needed.

“They will need some physicality. I think the players are around. Even down in Championship level in England.

“You need a few good pros, really. Poor old (Graeme) Shinnie, I wanted to take him off for the game on Wednesday but he was the only one talking, so it’s difficult really.”

The Dons host St Johnstone on Wednesday as Warnock seeks a much-needed three points.

“You just have to keep going and do your best and forget about this as quickly as possible and come up for something for Wednesday,” he said. “We have to get some respectability back.”