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| Koudou''''s Killie hopes put on ice |
2/9/2007 |
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Former Airdrie United striker Aime Koudou is on trial with Kilmarnock, but freezing temperatures have put his chance to shine on ice.
Killie had hoped to assess the 29-year-old from the Ivory Coast against Dunfermline reserves on Tuesday, but the match was postponed.
Koudou rejected a new contract with Airdrie after impressing in his five appearances for the Division One club.
The forward was previously with Cypriot outfit AEL Limassol.
Koudou sprung to prominence against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup, tormenting the Scottish Premier League side''''s defence after coming on as a late substitute.
He went on to score twice in his next match, against St Johnstone in Division One.
We''''re going into the game against Rangers with a bit of confidence
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies
Those performances led to an extended contract offer at the end of his short-term deal.
But a statement on Airdrie''''s website explained: "Despite numerous attempts, we were unable to reach agreement with Aimee Koudou concerning a contract extension."
Meanwhile, Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies believes that Rangers will be more difficult opponents on Sunday now that Walter Smith has succeeded Paul Le Guen as manager.
"I think everybody knew they were probably more vulnerable then than they are now," he said.
"They are always tough to beat, even when Paul Le Guen was there, but I think people always had a belief they could get at them, certainly when they had the criticism of the central defence.
"Walter has moved quickly to solve that problem, with Davie Weir and Ugo Ehiogu, two experienced and strong players.
"And that''''s reflected in their clean sheets since then."
Smith has guided his side to two wins and three clean sheets since taking charge.
Jefferies has yet to enjoy a win over Rangers, or Old Firm rivals Celtic, in his time at Rugby Park.
But Kilmarnock themselves go into this game on the back of a three-game winning run.
"We have just got to concentrate on ourselves," added Jefferies.
"We have three wins and three clean sheets, so we''''re going into it with a bit of confidence."
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