Derek McInnes hits back at Kilmarnock snipers and reveals why Kevin Van Veen won't be sticking around

Derek McInnes has hit back at snipers who have taken pot shots at Kilmarnock’s style of play - insisting he has one of the most exciting teams in the Premiership. The Killie boss has led his side back into Europe with an attacking blueprint built around two wingers and two strikers.

Celtic and Rangers have both been beaten in Ayrshire and McInnes has been shortlisted for the SFWA manager of the year award while David Watson is in the running for the young player gong having already won the PFA Scotland award.

Rugby Park dangerman Danny Armstrong is in the top three for Premiership assists and Marley Watkins and Kyle Vassell have both hit double figures in the goal charts. Yet McInnes still reckons his team are victims of lazy accusations of a physical style of play. Former Aberdeen boss Neil Warnock was particularly outspoken after losing in Ayrshire in February when he said: “We got bullied. I wouldn’t want to watch that every week, but they played to their strengths and you have to match that.”

But McInnes said: “It jars me sometimes when people say they couldn’t deal with our physicality after a win. People will say Kilmarnock are good at what they do. That kind of suggests to me that we are just a wee bit basic.

“I don’t see any other team committing to two wingers and two strikers. Whether it’s a back three or a back four, that’s been consistent.

“We probably can’t afford a 20-goal striker, other clubs have had the benefit of that. It’s too easy to suggest we’re just a physical team.

“We are an exciting team to watch, and that’s reflected in the season ticket sales for next season. We’re tapping into the younger generation and it’s so important to do that.”

McInnes wants to bolster his strikeforce in the summer -