"Over the last few weeks I've been trying to get forward a bit more," he said. "With Jordan Jones in front of me it doesn't happen too often though as he likes to go himself.

"As a defender you are judged on clean sheets. We managed to get four in a row before the game at Celtic Park.

"But I'm not worrying about the goal drought. I think the gaffer is pleased because it means I'm never out of position.

"I don't know what it is. I've not really had any massive opportunities to score. It's not like I'm missing sitters – I'm more likely to get a bit of a nose bleed if a chance ever presented itself to me. Hopefully it comes on Boxing Day, though.

"I've got no idea how I'll celebrate. You need to be a prolific scorer to come up with celebrations beforehand. I'd be getting stick if came up with something like that.

"I did score for Scotland Under-20s against Brazil. I was just more surprised than anything else. I haven't scored since then so it's about time I got one for Killie."

Killie were looking to keep pace with the leaders at the top of the table but two dropped points at Accies have seen them slip back back to fourth.

Clarke's team had briefly topped the table before being crushed by Celtic at Parkhead earlier this month.

But Taylor insists no-one in his dressing room is willing to heap extra pressure on themselves by proclaiming the Ayrshiremen title contenders.

He said: "Motherwell are below us but as you've seen throughout the season – even on Saturday against Accies – anyone get a result against anyone in this league.

"I think people are taking us more seriously now but I wouldn't say anyone here thinks it's a title race.

"I wouldn't say we put that contenders tag on our ourselves. We're just trying to put as many points on the table as we can.

"We're certainly enjoying being at the right end of the table rather than being where we were previously.

"The gaffer has spoken about the points-per-game ratio. We're on course to hit the 70-point mark at the end of the season and for a team like Kilmarnock that would be some achievement."

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