LEE CLARK is insistent that his beleaguered Kilmarnock side will cope with the devastating blow of losing their inspirational defender Miles Addison for the visit of Rangers tonight.
Addison has been ruled out of action for six weeks with an ankle problem so Killie are liable to field an inexperienced back line of Will Boyle and Jonathan Burn against a highly dangerous Rangers attack.
Clark, however, has challenged his squad to deal with the situation.
“Players have to grasp these opportunities – they can’t let them pass them by," said Clark. "Everyone wants to be part of games like this one and Jonathan Burn could come in for Miles.
“We could also just tweak our system a little and play differently but I was always under the impression that Miles wouldn’t be available so we’ve been working all week with that in mind.
“He was one of our older players but birth certificates mean nothing to me – it’s all about how good the players are. We have enough experience in every department of the team to get us through.
“Miles had to come off against Ross County with an ankle injury last weekend, although the initial problem came from our opening game against Clyde last month.
“He’s continued to play on with it but it’s reached the stage where it’s become unmanageable in terms of getting him through games.
“The specialist doesn’t want to go down the surgery route so he’s had a steroid injection. We’re hoping that does the trick, although he might still need an operation at the end of the season.
“Miles has to wear a surgical boot for 10 days so that he doesn’t put any pressure on the ankle and he will be out for five to six weeks.
“It’s a blow because he’s a big player for us in every sense of the word. But it gives other people an opportunity and that’s what football is all about.”
Clark is hoping that prospective Rangers debutant Joe Garner does not come back to haunt him having signed the striker on loan at Huddersfield six years ago.
He said: “He did a terrific job for me. He’s an aggressive striker and his work-rate is second to none.
“He’s very good in the air for someone of his size and he brings others into the play. He’s an unselfish player – he didn’t score for me but he allowed other players like Jordan Rhodes to get goals.
“I’m not surprised Mark Warburton made a big play for him and, with it being his debut, he’ll be desperate to impress. I just hope he takes a little time to settle.”
Skipper Stevie Smith, the former Rangers defender, knows that few are backing his side tonight but he hopes to capitalise on any anxiety Warburton’s side may have.
He said: “I think all the pressure is on Rangers. They want to come here, get three points and have a gap over Celtic going into the international break so we can go out and enjoy it.”
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