Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes planning more transfer business before Premiership kick off

Derek McInnes has warned his Kilmarnock squad they cannot afford to rest on their laurels after two wins from their opening two games in the Viaplay Cup group stages.

The Rugby Park side host Raith Rovers on Wednesday having brushed aside Dunfermline Athletic at the weekend to seal back to back victories in the competition.

Goals from Fraser Murray and Kyle Vassell were enough to see off the League One champions in Fife, but McInnes is determined his side will see the job through this week to put themselves in pole position for qualification to the knockout stages.

“Normally you play a cup tie and you’re in or out, it’s a one-off, but the group section throws it up, you can’t go into these games thinking you always have the fall back,” he said.

“For me, the best way of us proceeding through the tournament is winning the group. There’s no guarantees of that and winning the group will still end up in a tough draw.

“But we came through it last year and had to go to Tynecastle, which we won, but we have no doubt that a home tie against another team might have made things easier.”

He added: “The ultimate aim for us is to try and get to a cup final and be 90 minutes away from lifting a trophy.”

McInnes remains confident of adding to his squad before welcoming Rangers to Rugby Park on the opening day of the Premiership season and is particularly keen to recruit in forward areas having secured the signing of Marley Watkins last week.

He became Killie’s ninth signing of the summer, but McInnes admitted he was happy with how his new look squad has gelled in a short space of time.

“We’ve signed nine players now, trying to integrate that and get guys minutes is difficult, but we are still trying to do that,” he said.

“We want to get another one in before the league season starts next Saturday, but while we’re working towards that, I think the players deserve credit for knuckling down to the challenge in front of us.

“By and large I think we’re pleased with how we are shaping up, we are still looking to bring in in forward areas again to give us a bit more threat.

“You can see the squad slowly but surely get stronger as we get players back and bring players in.”