Kilmarnock v Dunfermline Athletic: Mark Kerr signs short-term Dunfermline deal to boost survival bid

The 29-year-old has made more than 300 appearances in Scottish football with Falkirk, Dundee United and Aberdeen and was a free agent after leaving Greek side Asteras Tripolis.

Pars manager Jim McIntyre said on the club’s website: “We’re signing a player of real quality who will give us real energy in the middle of the park. He is a box-to-box midfielder, he can play the holding role or an attacking midfielder role, so he gives us good options.”

International clearance is required for Kerr to be included in the squad for today’s match at Kilmarnock.

Dunfermline are four points adrift at the foot of the table after losing 3-2 to 11th-placed Hibernian last Saturday. Defender Kevin Rutkiewicz has told his team-mates to stop talking about having the ability to avoid relegation – and just do it.

Rutkiewicz recognises the severity of the situation ahead of the Kilmarnock match, but is far from downbeat. The defender, who made just a second appearance of the season following injury in the midweek Scottish Cup defeat to Inverness, said: “Yes there have been disappointments and Wednesday night was a big one – it was a kick in the teeth. But you’ve got to pick yourself up and go again. We’re in a bad situation and even with a victory on Saturday and all results going our way, we’ll still be at the bottom of the league.

“That’s the reality. It’s going to take a period of consistency, really hard work and courage. It’s something we’re capable of, but doing it and being capable of it are two different things. We’ve got to prove to ourselves, to the staff and the fans that they’re right to keep backing us. The time has come and gone for us to stop talking. It’s only actions on the park that are going to have an effect.”

He added: “A success for us this season is [finishing] 11th. And I’m not being pessimistic, but that’s us in the SPL still next season. We’re still more than capable of doing that.”