Calderwood Hopes Kilmarnock End Week On A High

Kilmarnock manager Jimmy Calderwood hopes to top off a week to remember by claiming a place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Inverness will visit Rugby Park for Killie’s third home game in seven days.

A 4-4 draw with Dundee United last Saturday was followed up by a 1-0 win over a star-studded Celtic side.

“Hopefully we can get the fans off their seats against Inverness and get ourselves into the quarter-final,” Calderwood told BBC Scotland.

“We’ve had a very good week coming back from 3-1 down to Dundee United, then taking the lead and giving it away.

“The old stadium was rocking and it was the same again on Tuesday night against Celtic.”

The victory over Celtic, who had new signing Robbie Keane making his debut, was the perfect boost for the new boss of the Ayrshire club.

“A lot of people said to me that I never gave the players enough credit, but you don’t want to go over the top too early,” said Calderwood.

“I was very proud of them against Celtic.

“But you’ve got to get back down to earth.

“We’ve got to keep our standards up. Even though we’re playing Inverness we’ve got to have the same application and desire to win this game.”

First Division Inverness have already knocked out Motherwell in the previous round and Calderwood believes the Caley Thistle management duo of Terry Butcher and Maurice Malpas will be desperate to claim another Scottish Premier League scalp.

“We’re under no illusions how difficult it’s going to be,” Calderwood said.

“Inverness have a very good record of upsetting the odds and, with the experience of Terry and Mo, we know how difficult they will make it.

“The Scottish Cup has sometimes been unkind to me personally but it’d be nice for Kilmarnock if we get into the last eight and keep the run going.”

Kilmarnock will be without their midweek goal hero against Celtic, Chris Maguire, for the tie. The on-loan striker is ineligible as he has already played for Aberdeen in the previous round.

“He was brilliant against Celtic,” insisted Calderwood.

“I knew he had it in him. I’ve seen it before.

“He’s going to be a massive miss for us, but it gives someone else a chance and hopefully they’ll take it.”

Killie will also be missing Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Taouil through injury. However Scott Severin, on loan from Watford, could make his first starting appearance for the Rugby Park side.

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