WE ARE OUT OF HOT WATER, PUT THE KETTLE ON

ROBBIE DEAS repaid the faith of his old boss Derek McInnes by helping Kilmarnock dodge relegation.

- By Craig Swan

Now the defender plans to hit even greater heights with new manager Stuart Kettlewell in the Rugby Park hotseat.

Deas signed a two-year contract extension just before the end of a campaign in which Killie finish ninth, seven points above the relegation zone.

And the 25-year-old is determined to help the team challenge at the opposite end of the table next season.

Deas said: “This club has been absolutely brilliant for me, I’ve loved every minute.

“Our success last season and then this season, managing to keep the club in the Premiership, it’s been a difficult one.

“But I feel I still have a lot more to give to this club. I have my own expectations that I’ve set where I want to improve as a player.

“Kilmarnock is the best place to be for me to kick on and hopefully hit higher heights.