Derek McInnes praised the “maturity” and “refreshing” attitude of loan defender Luke Chambers who passed up on the chance of a World Cup place with England Under-20s to help Kilmarnock beat the drop.
The 18-year-old left-back, who joined Killie on loan from Liverpool in January, asked to be excluded from the Young Lions squad for the prestigious tournament which gets under way in Argentina on Saturday.
Chambers’ focus will be on the last three cinch Premiership fixtures of the season, starting with the visit of St Johnstone on Saturday.
Following their 2-0 win over Livingston last weekend, the Rugby Park outfit are in 10th place, three points above bottom club Dundee United and just two points behind ninth-placed Saints and McInnes is pleased to have all the help he can get.
“It is so refreshing,” said the Killie boss.
“When I got the email saying Luke was being included in the 20s squad I looked at the dates and thought we would have an issue here and with Ben Chrisene’s injury, out for the season. It seemed there could be an emergency and panic on.
“I spoke to Luke the next morning and he wasn’t aware he was being brought into the squad at that stage but right away he said, ‘I can’t go, my job is here’ and that is exactly what I wanted to hear.
“It was so refreshing that he felt that obligation to be here and amongst it.
“To hear that certainty and maturity really, that he felt the responsibility to stay here and fight our cause was great.
“Obviously we spoke with his agent and dad and Liverpool were keen for Luke to make that decision.
“We spoke to England and they understand. Luke is very passionate about playing for his country.
“It would have been a good opportunity and showcase for him to be involved in the World Cup in Argentina, I don’t think it was dismissed easily.
“But it says everything about him really.
“For all the loan players I have worked with over the years, he is probably up there with the best, not just with his ability.
“A more popular boy you won’t find in the dressing room and such a good kid. He has a lot of old-school values and a real honesty about him.”
Killie’s home record has been key in keeping the Ayrshire side in with a chance of survival.
McInnes’s side have won eight and drawn five of their 17 home games as opposed to winning one and drawing two of their 18 away games.
He said: “I am pleased with the home record this season.
“It is clear as day if anyone can’t see it, how much my players need as much help as possible. Any little advantage we have we have to tap into and clearly being at home has been an advantage to us.
“Our home record really illustrates that. The home record with the fans behind us is strong. We look forward to playing at home and look forward to Saturday albeit it is a high-pressure game.
“If we win the game it helps our cause, no doubt about it.
“We are hoping we can have that all-as-one approach to it, the fans, all I would ask is they stay with the team even if things aren’t going as well as we would hope because I think the team and support that sticks together the most in the last few games can actually help the outcome.
“We will be doing all we can to give them something to shout about but equally supports stay with the team it can help matters on the pitch.”
Man United could be without Toone until new year, says Skinner
Marc Skinner revealed that Manchester United could be without midfielder Ella Toone until the new year after she picked up a calf injury in training.
Toone has featured in five games in the Women's Super League this season, but is yet to register a goal or an assist so far this term.
The 25-year-old has missed United's last two games and was not selected in Sarina Wiegman's England squad for their upcoming friendlies against the United States and Switzerland.
She had previously appeared in a staggering 96 straight matches before missing United's WSL showdown with Leicester City last weekend.
But ahead of the Red Devils' meeting with league leaders Chelsea on Sunday, Skinner confirmed they would be without Toone for not only that game, but for the foreseeable future.
"We have three games [after the international break and before Christmas]. There's always the hope, but I think you balance and you go, 'right, if we can get her back, we get her back'," Skinner said.
"But we're just not going to rush her in this moment because it's a calf injury, it's your running mechanism. If we injure the running mechanism, it takes longer.
"So ideally we'd like her back for those games afterwards.
"The projection is she misses this game [Chelsea], she misses the international window, probably misses the first game after that, and then we'll see from there.
"But because it is such a short block of only three games, we'll assess whether it's worth that or actually resetting to come back after Christmas."
Al-Nassr 1-2 Al-Qadsiah: Aubameyang winner ends hosts' unbeaten run
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the winner as Al-Qadsiah inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday to end their 21-match unbeaten run.
Cristiano Ronaldo's seventh league goal of the season put Al-Nassr ahead, but Al-Qadsiah replied swiftly through Julian Quinones before Aubameyang struck the decisive blow.
The hosts drew first blood in the 32nd minute when Ronaldo slotted home after Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels had spilled a routine catch from Talisca's cross.
However, Al-Nassr's joy was short-lived when Quinones brought down Turki Al Ammar's delivery five minutes later, with the Mexcio winger firing past Bento to level the scores.
Quinones also played a part in the winning goal after brilliantly turning the ball back across goal from Nahitan Nandez's search pass to tee up a simple finish for Aubameyang.
The result sees Al-Qadsiah move level on 22 points with third-placed Al-Nassr, with Al-Shabab also level with them.
Stefano Pioli's Al-Nassr are six points adrift of defending champions and leaders Al-Hilal, who also have a game in hand.
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
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