Locke Deflects Killie Credit

Photo by Jeff Holmes Gary Locke claims confidence is the only thing that has improved at Kilmarnock since he took over as interim boss from Allan Johnston. The former Rugby Park player was promoted from assistant manager earlier in the month when Johnston was relieved of his duties after revealing he would be leaving at the end of the season. In Locke's two games in charge, Killie have drawn 0-0 away to Hamilton and beaten Dundee United 3-2 at Rugby Park, their first win in six games last week leaving them eighth in the Premiership table. Ahead of the trip to Inverness on Saturday, where victory could take the visitors into the top six, he refuted a suggestion that the Killie players have upped their game since he took over. "If you win games the confidence is higher and everybody is in a better mood," Locke told Radio Clyde. "I felt over the past two or three weeks performances have been improving and it was good to get a victory, especially at home last week. "But the players played for Allan as well. It would be pretty poor to say they weren't playing for Allan and myself. "I don't see a huge difference apart from the fact that, obviously, when you are winning it breeds confidence and the confidence is better. "When you get that, you see players trying things that they maybe wouldn't try if they weren't so high on confidence. "So, Alan did a fantastic job here and it is the mark of him that I am still here at the moment." The former Hearts boss, however, knows that a continuation of Killie's form since he took over is required if he is to get the post on a permanent basis. He said: "I haven't really thought about it but I'm not silly. "I know that if you win games you have a better chance of getting the job. That is what I intend to do, try to win as many games as I can and you are hoping to get the job here, if not, you are impressing other people. "We will see what happens. "I have spoken to the board pretty regularly since I took the job and they have been fantastic with their backing so hopefully that continues and we can keep getting results." Locke concedes he is facing a formidable challenge in Inverness, who have beaten Kilmarnock twice already this season. John Hughes' men sit third in the table and are unbeaten this year with one draw and seven wins. The Killie boss said: "They have had a great season and it is probably one of the toughest fixtures we could face. "But if we play as we did on Saturday, we are confident that we can go and get three points."