McInnes desperate to keep Kilmarnock 'relevant'

Derek McInnes is determined to make sure Kilmarnock remain "relevant" after missing out on this season's League Cup quarter-finals.

The Ayrshire team were put out of the competition by Motherwell back in August and, as a result, had the weekend off.

When asked if he enjoyed a break from the action, McInnes replied: "I hated it."

The Rugby Park boss has been linked with the vacancy at Hearts, but he insists he is "fully" committed to bring more success to Kilmarnock.

"I just want us to be relevant," he added. "I want us to be in semi-finals and finals of cups, top six, playing in Europe. Saturday was a wee reminder we weren't there.

"I think when there are international breaks there’s a general feeling it's a chance to get some needed downtime.

"But when other teams are playing and we're just skulking about... I hated it."