Kilmarnock captain Steven Smith hoping players can step up at Partick

Kilmarnock captain Steven Smith is hoping some home truths at Hearts can fire up a performance at Partick.

The 31-year-old defender revealed an unpleasant exchange of views took place between the players in the Killie dressing following the 4-0 defeat at Tynecastle on Tuesday night.

Manager Lee Clark had to cobble together a side through injury and suspension but notwithstanding his troubles, the Rugby Park men have only one win in nine ahead of the Hogmanay encounter at Firhill against Thistle, who moved into sixth place on Wednesday night with a 2-0 home win over Dundee.

Smith believes it is time for Kilmarnock players to help Clark and his coaching staff by taking responsibility themselves.

The former Rangers player told Press Association Sport: "A few words were said but what was said will stay in the dressing room.

"As you can imagine it wasn't pleasant but sometimes the truth has to be told and the truth hurts sometimes.

"I have seen it before, it is nothing new. It happens in dressing rooms up and down the country.

"That's the way football is but sometimes it has got to be said and sometimes it is better if it doesn't come from the manager and the coaching staff, it comes from the players.

"That game against Hearts wasn't a representation of the coaching staff. I know the hard work the manager and coaching staff put in.

"The only thing that gets us back to better performances is hard work.

"It has happened twice now. We lost 5-1 at Aberdeen and four against Hearts and I think it is time for players to take responsibility.

"In football nowadays the finger always points to the manager but I think players have to take responsibility at some point."

Kilmarnock retained their place in the top-flight last season with a play-off final win over Falkirk and sit 10th at the moment.

However, Smith is more confident of this campaign having a less fraught ending.

He said: "I was here last season and it was difficult. The manager has raised the standards in every department of the football club.

"It is hard to say you are positive after a 4-0 defeat but the feeling around the place wasn't great last season. The manager has changed that.

"We have to rectify things at the weekend.

"Thistle are a decent side. We know we are in for a hard game.

"With three weeks coming up without a game it is important to go into the break on the back of a positive result."