Derek McInnes makes Kilmarnock 'targets on back' admission as he prepares for run in without key duo

Derek McInnes insists Kilmarnock won’t allow the double blow of losing Scott Robinson and Dylan Tait for the title run-in to derail their promotion charge.

Robinson had hoped to return from a heel injury that has sidelined him since January in the coming weeks.

But he was given the bad news his season is over by a specialist this week while Tait was also told he won’t play a part in the final six matches having been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks with a knee complaint.

The Hibs loanee could return should Killie miss out on automatic promotion and be involved in the Premiership play-offs.

But McInnes is preparing for the Championship title shoot out without the pair.

Partick Thistle are up next on Saturday and a Kilmarnock win would move them 14 points clear of the Jags with five games remaining.

McInnes, who will also be without Brandon Haunstrup who is nursing a calf injury, said: “With Robbo, we’d been thinking more in hope than expectation. I’d lost him – along with Calum Hendry, who returned to St Johnstone – after my first game here.

“They were two boys who had quality and who we felt would do well for us in this division but we’ve had to deal without Robbo for a long time.

“Young Dylan came in and did well initially, often coming off the bench to bring composure and energy to the team, but the fact he’s carried this knee injury and never complained about it reflects well on him.

“However, once we had it scanned it became obvious he was struggling with it. He probably won’t be fit for the remaining league games and that’s a blow.

“We’ve had to deal with five or six players at a time being out since coming here, whether that was down to injury, illness, suspensions or Covid so you never know