Derek McInnes bites back at Steven MacLean’s 'we WILL win' boast as tempers rise ahead of Kilmarnock vs St Johnstone

Derek McInnes has hit back at Steven MacLean after he insisted his St Johnstone side will win against Kilmarnock on Saturday and be in the Scottish Premiership next season.

The Saints go into the crunch tie at Rugby Park at the weekend just two points above Killie who are looking to pull away from the relegation zone. MacLean, who has taken over from Callum Davidson until the end of the season, was in a confident mood earlier today at his pre-match press conference. Former Aberdeen and St Johnstone gaffer McInnes wasn't having any of the mind games being played by MacLean and said the Perth outfit would be in for a "tough game".

Killie have won nine games in the league this season, eight coming in Ayrshire. McInnes has made it hard for teams to win at Rugby Park this season so he will be hoping for the same again on Saturday. St Johnstone are five points above the automatic relegation spot which is occupied by Dundee United, while they are just three ahead of Ross County in the play-off spot.

Speaking ahead of the crunch match in the bottom six and responding to MacLean's comments, McInnes said: "I just watched Steven MacLean on TV there and he said that they won't get relegated and they are coming here and they will win the game on Saturday.

"It is hard to guarantee that as any manager. All I can guarantee is we will be ready for a tough game and we will do all we can to win the game."

Ahead of the game MacLean gave some direct answers to reporters, he said: "We will be in the Premiership. We will go to Kilmarnock and we are going to win the game, simple as that and what will be after that will be."

READ NEXT