Killie gaffer Derek McInnes has backed Robby McCrorie to come back to haunt his former team and continue the Rugby Park side’s impressive run of form against the Old Firm.
The 26-year-old is set to face his old team for the first time on Sunday and his new boss reckons he has the mentality to play a pivotal role in a positive result for the hosts.
Killie head into the fixture coming off a remarkable comeback against Dundee as they netted three times from the 86th minute onwards to bag their first win of the league season.
He said: “There’s no doubt that first time you play against a club you’ve had a long association with, there can be a bit of emotion in it but I think the professional part of it is you’re there to do a job and I’m sure come game time he’ll be desperate just to put in a good performance.
“Obviously his association with Rangers was long. He signed there at seven or eight years of age, so it’s a huge part of his life but there’s life after for players when they leave Rangers and he’s trying to build his career.”
He added: “Obviously he wants to try and become a regular with us, which, in turn, will hopefully help him get involved with the international set-up.
“I think everybody at Rangers recognised Robby was a good goalkeeper, the way we do. He never got the opportunity to be No.1, there were some good keepers ahead of him, so there’s no shame in that.
“He comes here now and he’s got a fight to play on our team. And if he wins that, he’s got an opportunity to show what everybody believes, that he is a good goalkeeper.”
McCrorie was recalled for the win at Dens Park having lost his place to Kieran O’Hara, initially due to injury but a number of fine display from the ex-Ireland international saw him keep hold of the starting spot for longer than expected.
And McInnes says the former Rangers man’s mentality and calm character ensures he can deal with any situation – including facing his old team and adjusting to playing every week, something he’s rarely had the chance to do.
The 26-year-old has clocked up just 14 appearances since a loan spell at Livingston ended in May 2021.
He said: “I think he carries himself well. Robby’s ingrained, he’s got a routine. The problem he had in the majority of his career, has been he didn’t always have a game at the weekend, so it’s an adjustment for him now to be ready to play all the time.
“Similar to his brother when I took him to Aberdeen. They both felt that getting away from Rangers and cutting those ties was their best option.
“He’s got that opportunity. He’s confident, backs himself, speaks well, he’s a good size for a goalkeeper, he’s agile, he’s got a lot of attributes. It’s up to him now to demonstrate that.”
“We did watch his games at Rangers. I think I know a good and a bad goalkeeper when I see one, but you do still need to speak to goalkeepers, goalkeeping coaches and people who have worked with them on the technical aspect.
“I also spoke to teammates, I spoke to Allan McGregor, who I know well, to try and get a sense of what Robby was like. The temperament part of it, getting thrown into the deep end at games for Rangers, there’s no doubt he dealt with that.”
Killie defeated Rangers at home on the opening day last term – and twice defeated Celtic at Rugby Park. That’s something that McInnes insists can stand them in good stead for the weekend.
He added: “Obviously it’s a different campaign, different Rangers team, different Rangers manager. But, from our side of it, most of the players who played in that game will be playing at the weekend.
“Sometimes you get players who are scarred from playing the Old Firm a lot of the time. It’s the fact that we’ve done it, we’re traditionally very strong at home. We know we’ve got a performance in us to beat Rangers, so, hopefully, we can deliver that.”
Killie are hopeful that both Stuart Findlay and David Watson can overcome injuries, while Joe Wright serves the final game of his three match ban.
Liam Polworth has been ruled out with a calf injury that saw him miss the trip to Dens Park while Kyle Magennis is also out but nearing a return to training.