McKenzie trying to savour ‘rush’ of relegation scrap

RORY McKENZIE admits he is harnessing the adrenaline rush of Kilmarnock’s survival battle in a bid to glean enjoyment out of a fraught spell in his footballing career.

The long-serving Killie forward has suffered more than most as Derek McInnes’ side have endured a white-knuckle ride of a season with their Premiership futures constantly on the line.

As the season prepares to shudder to a final-day climax tomorrow afternoon, the Ayrshire side still need a result against Ross County to avoid a relegation play-off.

McKenzie (right) admits nerves will be jangling but he has devised a way to turn the uncertainty into a positive force.

The 29-year-old said: ‘I have tried to put a spin on it that one day I am not going to be playing football, I will have a normal job, and in a few years I won’t have this feeling.

‘In a few years’ time there won’t be the adrenaline rush that I have now, so I am trying to spin it that way and enjoy it the best I can.

‘The worst part is now. I was quite nervous leading up to the Dundee United game and the best I felt was when I was walking out. That’s when you know you are in control of it.

‘Waiting about for the game for three days, you just wish the game was tomorrow, you want to get it out the way, you want to play the game.’

Manager McInnes has been clear that avoiding relegation has been the aim this season as Killie look to consolidate their Championship title win, which they managed after a late-season shoot-out with Arbroath last term.

McKenzie, who has made more than 350 appearances for the

Rugby Park club, said: ‘That’s always been the goal this season, nothing else. The fact that it comes down to this game against a team that are fighting for the exact same thing is quite exciting.

‘Two years in a row, it’s not good for anyone’s heart. I probably found it mentally tougher last year, with going to win. I felt there was more pressure and I had never experienced that before. Usually it’s been about staying in the league and last year was about trying to win the league, and that was different for me.

‘Don’t get me wrong, this is just as big, probably bigger — but I do believe we have got what it takes. ‘Against Arbroath, there was an expectation on us to win the league and I struggled with that at times.’

A draw will do Killie while County need to win. McKenzie added: ‘It’s a game we just have to treat like any other and go out and try and win because we are not very good at trying to see out draws.

‘We have good home form, we are good on the front foot, there will be a lot of people here, and that’s our aim, to go and win the game, not sit and wait for a draw.’