Switch to full-back helps Josh Magennis claim regular place in Aberdeen line-up

The Dons claimed a 2-1 win at Fir Park on Tuesday to advance to the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup and a meeting with Hibs at Easter Road in February, but today they turn their attentions to SPL duty at Pittodrie, where they lie fifth and have just two league wins from eight matches.

Magennis said: “It’s going to be a big game because we don’t want to be in and amongst it in the top six, we want to break away (into the) top two or top three. Three points on Saturday will put us right up there.

“They (Kilmarnock) can play great football, that’s if you let them play. We know if we pressure them the way the gaffer tells us and if we don’t let them play we’ll be all right.

“I’m expecting a high-tempo game. They’re known for passing the ball about and we’re known for that this season as well. Whichever team is the bravest and whoever is looking for the ball is going to come out on top.”

The versatile Magennis has been in and out of the starting line-up during his time with the Dons but feels more settled now he is playing as a right-back.

“Since I’ve been moved to right back I’ve been playing more regularly,” said Magennis, whose contract is up at the end of the season.

“As long as I can keep going and keep putting performances in for the team, hopefully I’ll stay in the team.

“I signed a year extension. Because I wasn’t probably going to get signed on as a striker because basically I wasn’t scoring enough goals, I was given the option of a year extension with a new position of right-back. Really that’s not up to me. All I want to do is play football and I’ll leave that to the people upstairs and my representation.

“I’m just looking forward to playing football for the rest of the season.”

A reshuffle saw Magennis deployed on the left flank at Motherwell, with Joe Shaughnessy at right-back.

Shaughnessy impressed and scored the second, and ultimately decisive, goal just a week after signing a contract extension.

Magennis added: “We’ve given him some stick. We’ve told him he’s signed his contract two weeks too early.

“He’s been progressing and he was told ‘if you’re doing a job for the team you’ll keep your place’.”

Kilmarnock captain Manuel Pascali is free of suspension and available for the trip to Aberdeen, after what Rugby Park manager Kenny Shiels described as “serving three games for winning a tackle”.

Shiels added: “We know it’s going to be hard to go up there and get anything.

“They’ve been strong, committed, difficult to break down and really hard working.

“They were very good (at Motherwell on Tuesday).”