Kilmarnock v Hibernian

Roddy Mackenzie

Hibernian and Kilmarnock, who clash at Rugby Park, provide the perfect illustration of how fortunes can fluctuate in the slipstream of the Old Firm.

Hibs' win over Dundee United at Easter Road meant they clambered up to sixth place, while Kilmarnock's collapse at Celtic Park 24 hours previously left them second bottom.

Just six points separate six clubs and it could all change today, with Kilmarnock seeking their third win over Hibs this season, having dismissed them from the CIS Insurance League Cup.

Remarkably, that win by Hibs over United (after beating Dundee the previous weekend) gave them their first back-to-back wins in the Premier League since April 1997.

There had been a temptation for manager Alex McLeish to make sweeping changes after a disappointing first quarter, but, with little money at his disposal, it has been a case of tinkering with what he has available.

However, Tom Smith, who has slotted in as a right-footed left-back, and Derek Collins, who came on as a second-half substitute against Dundee United and had what McLeish described as his best game for the club, have forced McLeish into a rethink of any spending policy.

His priority had been in the left-back area but now he admits that is not such a pressing problem and he has shifted to looking at cover for his central defence.

''Tom has been a revelation for us,'' McLeish said yesterday. ''A few weeks ago, he was maybe a bit stale and a bit down, but (coach) Donald Park and I spoke to him and we played a couple of bounce games and all of a sudden he perked up.

''I don't know what the problem was - it might just have been a belief thing. I told him just to come in and do what he did naturally. We didn't want him to come in and do a Cruyff turn or anything just because he's at a big club now.

''I remember when I first broke into the Scotland international team, Archie Gemmill gave me sound advice.

''He told me just to play my natural game and not try to do something special just because I had a Scotland jersey on.''

McLeish stressed it was not a snap judgement when he signed Smith from Clydebank last

season. ''I'd watched him over the years and always thought he was a good, steady player. He has now come in and defended well for us and is a great example to other players,'' he explained.

McLeish underlines that, while Russell Latapy (four goals from midfield in his last two games) and Franck Sauzee grab most of the headlines in his team, the change in fortunes has been because of what the team have put in as a unit.

''It's about getting our game right around Russell and Franck; it's about getting the best out of Pat McGinlay and Grant Brebner's form has been inspired in the last few weeks,'' he pointed out.

Certainly, the talk the manager had with Latapy recently seems to have had the desired effect.

''We didn't want Russell running back 60-70 yards during a game. A lot of his play is very explosive and that type of play is very demanding,'' McLeish said.

Kilmarnock will be without defender Martin Baker, who is automatically suspended after being sent off against Celtic last week and has a further three-match ban looming.

Manager Bobby Williamson is aware that Kilmarnock have had the upper hand over Hibs in recent matches and is not using past history as any misplaced encouragement.

''I'm a great believer that these things turn around eventually,'' he warned. ''I also believe every game should be treated differently and I'm sure we'll see a determined Hibs team on Saturday.

''I've got a lot of respect for Alex (McLeish). I regard him as a mate and he always has time for a chat after the game.

''I have the utmost respect for what he's achieved at Easter Road - this is the best Hibs team I've seen in quite a while; there's a lot of quality there.

''We always react positively after a defeat. You can easily go into your shell, but we should remember that we played well for 45 minutes at Celtic Park.''

In the absence of Ally McCoist, Williamson will turn to Frenchman Christophe Cocard for much of his goal threat. Cocard has scored in his last three games for Kilmarnock and will be looking to extend that record.

''The thing about Christophe is that we never really signed him as an out-and-out goalscorer. He can create goals as well and is always composed in the box,'' Williamson stated.

''He left Lyon in the summer, so he's obviously a class act. But we've got more than Christophe up our sleeve - there are others who can score goals too.''

BOOKIES' VIEW:

Kilmarnock 6-5, Hibs 11-4, draw 12-5.