Killie determined to remain the best of the rest

Kilmarnock midfielder James Fowler is aiming for seventh place in the SPL but is also looking to lay the foundations for next season.

Fowler is out of contract in the summer, so has plenty to play for in the final five games. Kenny Shiels’ side are also looking to improve their record against the teams below them in the SPL.

Killie have beaten Rangers at home and away this season and defeated Celtic in the Scottish Communities League Cup final after drawing at Rugby Park earlier in the campaign. They are also unbeaten against third-placed Motherwell as well as Hearts, but they will start their final five fixtures against Hibernian who have inflicted consecutive defeats.

Fowler said: “When you end up in the bottom six you want to finish as high up as possible. We’re currently seventh so we’re looking to maintain that. We have not really done well against teams at the bottom this season so we have a point to prove, plus there are people out of contract, myself being one of them.

“You are still playing for your future and trying to impress the manager and, depending on what happens here, maybe other people as well.”

The 31-year-old has spent his entire career at Rugby Park so he hopes to extend his contract soon. “I have spoken to them. Hopefully we can sit down when the gaffer has sorted his deal out as well, because he is out of contract. Hopefully he can get himself sorted and then maybe look to the players as well.”