Doidge hopes to hit hot streak as Kilmarnock battle drop

Christian Doidge is keen to be one of the Kilmarnock strikers he believes need to hit a streak of form before the end of the season to ensure cinch Premiership safety.

Killie are second bottom of the table, four points ahead of Dundee United having played a game more as they prepare to take on Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.

Doidge, on loan from Hibernian, has scored only once in the league this season – in the 3-1 defeat at Livingston last month – while Kyle Vassell, suspended for the trip to Govan, has scored once since signing in January.

Scott Robinson has scored twice, including the opener in the 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Rugby Park at the weekend.

Doidge admitted he needed the goal against Livingston “big time” but the 30-year-old Welsh forward knows there needs to be more in the run-in.

He said: “One of the strikers will have to get hot towards the end of the season to really help us and hopefully all three of us can do it.

“I relish that pressure. I have scored a lot of goals in my career and I know I have been very streaky in my career. When I get one I normally go on a little run and hopefully I can do that.

“The manager wants to play two up front and that is great for us, you have a partner up there but the most important thing for us is to win games and work as hard as we can and I am sure one of us will hit a bit of form.”

Doidge, who will play wearing a mask after breaking his nose against Motherwell, admits to a “mixed bag” of experiences at Ibrox and believes it will be another tough task against a Gers side still smarting from the Viaplay Cup final defeat by Celtic at Hampden Park last Sunday.

He said: “It is going to be a tough game. We know what it is like at Ibrox. They have just had a defeat so they are going to be really up for it so we have to be ready.

“When their fans are behind them and they are really going for it, they are a really hard team to play against.

“They are in great form in the league, we know hard it is going to be so we have to stick together.

“I am sure the message from the manager will be to start really well and try to get on the front foot.

“Our job is to make it as hard as we possible for them and keep it tight and try to nick a goal.”