Graeme Owens is hoping to win his first SPL start for Kilmarnock against Rangers at Rugby Park this weekend.
Killie winger keen to take on SPL champions
Former Middlesbrough winger Graeme Owens is hoping to win his first Scottish Premier League start for Kilmarnock against Rangers at Rugby Park this weekend.
The 21-year-old has made just two substitute appearances for Killie so far, although he is not letting his head drop and is staying positive.
Owens emerged off the bench late on in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Hearts, but was unable to prevent them slipping to a third consecutive league defeat.
The former Chesterfield and Blackpool loanee has spoken to the club about his lack of playing time and is more than happy to continue working hard for a start under Jim Jefferies.
Kilmarnock battle title challengers Rangers this weekend and Owens is hoping to get a crack at Walter Smith's side, who could be suffering on the back of their UEFA Champions League clash with Stuttgart.
"I spoke to the assistant (Billy Brown) about it a couple of weeks ago and he's given me an explanation as to why I haven't played and I was quite happy with what he said," Owens told
skysports.com.
Chance
"I just need to keep proving what I can do and hopefully I'll get my chance. Hopefully I just get more time on the pitch in the future and prove to Kilmarnock's fans and the manager what I can do.
"We play Rangers on Saturday. Hopefully I'll see what happens this week in training. I'd obviously love to play against Rangers and Celtic as well as every other team in the league.
"Fatigue might play a part. They might rest some players anyway against us, but we believe we can beat them anyway. We just need to believe in what can do get the right result at the end of it."
Andrew Driver's goal gave Hearts the points at Tynecastle on Tuesday, but Owens does not believe the club's run of results portrays their lively performances so far.
"We've played better than what our form is showing at the minute," he continued. "Last night we deserved at least a draw at Tynecastle. I think we played well last night. We just couldn't score that goal.
"If we played like what we did last night then we'll end up winning more games than we'll loose. Hopefully we'll get a good draw or a win and that'll kick-start the season and get us going again."
