Until fourth place is mathematically sealed, Kilmarnock will keep pushing to get the job done.
Joe Wright and his Killie teammates have enjoyed a superb season under Derek McInnes. The Ayrshire side are on the cusp of securing a fourth-placed finish in the Premiership, and this will see Killie guaranteed two rounds of European football this summer.
St Mirren are nine off the pace of the Rugby Park outfit, while Dundee are 11 off the pace. With just four games remaining, it’s highly likely those two teams will fight it out for the final European slot in fifth, while Killie will celebrate a fine season in fourth.
Wright experienced a drop-off at the end of a highly successful campaign at Doncaster Rovers during the earlier days of his career.
READ MORE: It all started with Rangers - and it could end with Rangers for Killie
The 29-year-old was part of the side that won promotion to League One with the club in 2017. While that is a highlight of his playing days so far, he’s determined to ensure Killie’s season doesn’t peter out the same way that campaign did.
“Although from the outside it looks pretty much done, we’re well aware that you’re playing the teams around you, so things can change quite quickly,” Wright said. “There’s no change from us. We’ll keep training and keep performing the way that we have been.
“We had a good run in League Two during the first season I was there (Doncaster). We got promoted very early doors, which was good, but in that season we actually tailed off. That’s something I don’t want to repeat.
“I was a young boy at the time in that team. I don’t know why we tailed off, I can’t put my finger on it. We got promoted with five games to go and ended up finishing third. It wasn’t to be, but it was still a fantastic achievement. Hopefully, it’s something they’ll do this season as well
“We had play-off seasons as well, which were good, so I have those sort of experiences to lean on while going into this, but it’s a different league with the split. So, it’s something that is relatively new to me.
“We had the split last year too, but we were on the wrong side of it. Thankfully this year is a lot more enjoyable.”
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Wright is delighted for teammate David Watson after learning of his nomination for PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year. He shares the same feelings for his gaffer too, with Derek McInnes one of the three nominees for the Manager of the Year category.
The beauty of Killie’s stellar campaign though, is that it’s very much been a team effort. However, Wright does believe that another of his teammates can count himself unlucky not to be in the running for an award too.
He added: “It’s not just those two. I think the gaffer and David have been terrific all season, but there’s a couple of boys in that dressing room that will feel a little bit hard done by that they’re not up for the Player of the Year. People like Matty [Kennedy] and Danny [Armstrong]. They’ve been terrific, especially with Danny’s numbers and performances that he’s put in.
“Personally, I think he should’ve been up for an award himself. Everyone at the club has been a credit to themselves this season.”
Wright and fellow defender Lewis Mayo noticeably change positions between right-back and centre-back from game to game. Sometimes, they can be seen switching roles in-game.
It’s something the former Wales Under-21 international relishes. He said: “It’s something that’s happened the whole season. We both have the option of being able to play out on the right as well.
“I was actually speaking about it at lunch. There are times where we’ll crossover in games and there’s not really much of a rush to get back in your position because we’ve both been playing it all season.
“I’ve enjoyed doing it. It keeps us on our toes too. Me and Mayo have a joke about who’s going to be playing right back and who is going to be at centre-half. I’ve enjoyed the challenge.”
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