It's time once again for Be The Boss, the feature where we throw someone in at the deep end and ask them who they'd pick in their first XI for that weekend's game. This week we asked Michael Higgins to pick his XI for Saturday's game against Hearts and give his reasons...
GK: Jamie MacDonald
Easily Gary Locke’s best signing and in my opinion our best and most consistent goalkeeper since Gordon Marshall. We’ve had some absolute hidings this season but could have been a whole lot worse had it not been for Jamie. His treble save at Perth had the away end celebrate more than our goal. A true match winner.
RB: Lee Hodson
Lee has fitted straight into the team and doesn’t look out of place one bit. We’ve been crying out for a natural full back and it’s no surprise that upturn in defensive performances has followed his introduction. He’s sold defensively but also decent going forward and links up well with the wide men in front of him.
CB: Conrad Balatoni
Conrad has been another solid signing, a bit of a no nonsense defender who also pops up with a goal or two. Scored up at Tynecastle earlier in the season and in the absence of Mark Connolly is our most experienced centre half.
CB: Stuart Findlay
The big man has had a couple of shaky performances this season, albeit mostly when played out of position. He’s a bit more a of ball player than Conrad but they link up well together and have started to look more solid.
LB: Kevin McHattie
He’s been in and out of the side this season for whatever reason but he’s a natural left back and I’m not a fan of playing players out of position in this area so gets the nod for this one in the absence of Stevie Smith who himself was starting to come onto a game before his injury.
DM: Gary Dicker
I like the look of Gary as a ball winning centre mid, something we’ve badly been missing of late. He adds a bit of dig into midfield and hopefully this will allow the youngsters either side of him a bit more freedom to attack.
LM: Rory McKenzie
One of my favourite players in our squad and prior to his wee injury set back was starting to find a great level of consistency which saw him gain the captaincy. Scored a great goal against Rangers and that was typical of the kind of goal he scored coming through the ranks. Once saw him score 4 at Murray Park in a 5-1 win in the Youth Cup and he was unplayable. Need to get him tied up as his deal expires in the summer.
CM: Craig Slater
I’m a big fan of Craig and he’s starting to add some more goals to his game. Another one out of contract in the summer that we need to get tied up. Could be argued that he’s sometimes a bit too casual in possession in dangerous areas and it’s one area he needs to work on as it’s cost us a few times. Great technique though and one of the first names of the team sheet for me.
RM: Tope Obadeyi
Against my better judgement I’m going to give Tope one last chance. Having listened to Lee Clark on Monday it’s clear that he’s had a word with Tope and made it clear to him what he expects from him. He has pace to burn and should be a real asset, however too often his decision making/final is very poor. Probably one of the most frustrating players I’ve seen play for us but something is telling me to give him another chance under a new manager. Time will tell!
CF: Greg Kiltie
In my opinion one of the best youngsters in Scotland just now and certainly the best to come through our ranks since Naisy. Was delighted to see him sign a new deal and can see him becoming a full international in the coming years. Has everything you need, energy, pace, work ethic, skill and has an eye for goal too.
CF: Josh Magennis
Together with MacDonald, Josh has been our best player this season. I’ve often been a critic of him and whilst he still has his faults, he’s improved his game dramatically over the last 12 months. Another to be guaranteed to be in my starting XI each week.
I’m going with a 4-4-1-1 formation with Greg playing just behind Josh as a number 10.
Easily Gary Locke’s best signing and in my opinion our best and most consistent goalkeeper since Gordon Marshall. We’ve had some absolute hidings this season but could have been a whole lot worse had it not been for Jamie. His treble save at Perth had the away end celebrate more than our goal. A true match winner.
RB: Lee Hodson
Lee has fitted straight into the team and doesn’t look out of place one bit. We’ve been crying out for a natural full back and it’s no surprise that upturn in defensive performances has followed his introduction. He’s sold defensively but also decent going forward and links up well with the wide men in front of him.
CB: Conrad Balatoni
Conrad has been another solid signing, a bit of a no nonsense defender who also pops up with a goal or two. Scored up at Tynecastle earlier in the season and in the absence of Mark Connolly is our most experienced centre half.
CB: Stuart Findlay
The big man has had a couple of shaky performances this season, albeit mostly when played out of position. He’s a bit more a of ball player than Conrad but they link up well together and have started to look more solid.
LB: Kevin McHattie
He’s been in and out of the side this season for whatever reason but he’s a natural left back and I’m not a fan of playing players out of position in this area so gets the nod for this one in the absence of Stevie Smith who himself was starting to come onto a game before his injury.
DM: Gary Dicker
I like the look of Gary as a ball winning centre mid, something we’ve badly been missing of late. He adds a bit of dig into midfield and hopefully this will allow the youngsters either side of him a bit more freedom to attack.
LM: Rory McKenzie
One of my favourite players in our squad and prior to his wee injury set back was starting to find a great level of consistency which saw him gain the captaincy. Scored a great goal against Rangers and that was typical of the kind of goal he scored coming through the ranks. Once saw him score 4 at Murray Park in a 5-1 win in the Youth Cup and he was unplayable. Need to get him tied up as his deal expires in the summer.
CM: Craig Slater
I’m a big fan of Craig and he’s starting to add some more goals to his game. Another one out of contract in the summer that we need to get tied up. Could be argued that he’s sometimes a bit too casual in possession in dangerous areas and it’s one area he needs to work on as it’s cost us a few times. Great technique though and one of the first names of the team sheet for me.
RM: Tope Obadeyi
Against my better judgement I’m going to give Tope one last chance. Having listened to Lee Clark on Monday it’s clear that he’s had a word with Tope and made it clear to him what he expects from him. He has pace to burn and should be a real asset, however too often his decision making/final is very poor. Probably one of the most frustrating players I’ve seen play for us but something is telling me to give him another chance under a new manager. Time will tell!
CF: Greg Kiltie
In my opinion one of the best youngsters in Scotland just now and certainly the best to come through our ranks since Naisy. Was delighted to see him sign a new deal and can see him becoming a full international in the coming years. Has everything you need, energy, pace, work ethic, skill and has an eye for goal too.
CF: Josh Magennis
Together with MacDonald, Josh has been our best player this season. I’ve often been a critic of him and whilst he still has his faults, he’s improved his game dramatically over the last 12 months. Another to be guaranteed to be in my starting XI each week.
I’m going with a 4-4-1-1 formation with Greg playing just behind Josh as a number 10.
Let us know what you think of Michael's suggestions on Twitter @KillieFC and if you'd like to pick the team, email us: michael@killiefc.com
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