Derek McInnes turns attention to Kilmarnock’s domestic issues upon European exit

Derek McInnes turned his attention to Kilmarnock’s early domestic challenges after their European exit at the hands of Copenhagen on Thursday night.

A 1-1 draw at Rugby Park against the Danish side saw Killie lose 3-1 on aggregate in their Conference League play-off, ending a Euro journey which also brought double-headers against Cercle Brugge and Tromso.

Those midweek Euro games have taken their toll on the Ayrshire side, who are bottom of the William Hill Premiership without a win in their first three fixtures, and they now prepare to face David Gray’s Hibernian at Rugby Park on Sunday.

McInnes said: “I know at one point I’ve seen David Gray up there (at Rugby Park). I’m sure he was smiling, just watching us knock our pan in.

“But I’m looking forward to the game when it comes round.

“We’ll recover and we’ll get ourselves ready again. I will freshen the team up.

“We’ve got injuries with Liam Donnelly and a suspension for Brad Lyons, so there’s issues here, but we’ll deal with the game on Sunday, and hopefully get a positive result, and then I think the international break will come at a good time for us.

“I will look at the bench. We’re starting to get one or two back. Fraser Murray will hopefully make the bench, Kyle Magennis will hopefully be back after the international break.

“Corrie Ndaba had another week’s training, so he’s getting a bit closer. So there’s areas where we maybe can freshen things up.

“But you know, you’re playing against Hibs, and it’s never easy when you play Hibs.

“So it’s up to us to try to have a team together to go and get a positive result.

“I think it’s important we go into the international break on something positive.

“We’re not too far away from five, six, seven teams in the league. I’m confident we’ll make it up. But the sooner we do that, the better.”