Rory McKenzie thought captaincy nod was a joke
Rory McKenzie thought he was the victim of a dressing room wind-up when he was given the captain's armband at Kilmarnock.
In the absence of skipper Mark Connolly, who is still trying to get back into the team after recovering from a knee injury, the 22-year-old forward found himself leading the Ayrshire outfit out for the 2-0 home win over Inverness and the 2-1 win at Dundee last week.
Ahead of the visit of Motherwell on Saturday, McKenzie recalled first being made aware of his new responsibility.
He said: "When I walked into the changing room before the Inverness game the armband was sitting at my place and I thought someone was 'at it.'
"I had been captain with the under-19s but I hadn't even thought about it and a few of the boys let me know that, saying 'how could he be captain?'.
"It has been good fun and we have had two wins as well - so I am doing something right.
"It was a proud moment walking out but the only time I shout is when I get a bit hot-headed at training and the boys let me know now.
"Whenever I shout in training they say it's because I have the captain's armband but, as I say, it has been good fun.
"For me it doesn't really change much. As I say, I am not the loudest of boys unless I get annoyed.
"It is a big positive and a confidence booster that the manager has the trust in me.
"But I know it is not going to last forever, I am not letting it get to my head.
"As soon as Mark comes back it will be him. I am just trying to do the best job I can."
Killie can break in to the top six for the first time this season with a victory over the Steelmen, who are four points behind and looking for their first win under new boss Mark McGhee, after losing 1-0 at home to Celtic and drawing 1-1 with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
But they may have to do so without striker Kris Boyd who is struggling with an ankle knock and is receiving treatment.
Defender Darryl Westlake is out with an ankle problem while Dale Carrick is in contention after his return from a hamstring injury. Long-term absentee Chris Johnston (knee) remains out.
Motherwell have concerns of their own with skipper Keith Lasley out with a calf injury and left-back Steven Hammell (groin/hernia) also missing.
Elsewhere, right-back Craig Reid has joined St Mirren on loan until January but striker Wes Fletcher is confident a tough training regime can prepare him for his debut on artificial grass.
The trip to Ayrshire offers a chance for Motherwell to close the gap on a team two places above them in the Ladbrokes Premiership and Fletcher hopes they can perform on the plastic pitch.
The former Burnley and York forward said: "I've never played on 3G before so it will be a new experience for me. We just have to go there and get the job done.
"I've heard it's not the best of surfaces but if we play the way we did last Saturday I'm sure we can come away with something."
Fletcher has been handed two starts by McGhee, his first since suffering an ankle injury in the second game of the season.
And he feels McGhee's attitude to fitness has helped him regain his sharpness quickly.
"He likes to work hard," the 24-year-old said. "We have had two heavy weeks and I think it showed on Saturday. The boys kept on going and got the goal back and we nearly nicked it.
"The tempo of training is high and we do a bit of running on Tuesday. That has helped my fitness get back to where it was.
"When we played Celtic I was struggling a bit for fitness. That game helped me and a hard week's training helped me a lot. I think I'm nearly there, I felt a lot better against Aberdeen."
Source: PAR
