Steven Smith is hoping Kilmarnock can serve up a series of Christmas crackers as they head into the hectic festive fixture list.

The Rugby Park men got December off to a flying start with a commanding 2-0 win over Dundee at the weekend which vaulted them from 11th to sixth in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Killie face a tough trip to Aberdeen tomorrow night but with the Dons coming off the back of two demoralising defeats to Celtic in the Betfred Cup final and Rangers in the league, they could be ripe for the taking.

Smith, who had a loan stint in the Granite City back in 2011, insists Kilmarnock will travel north in buoyant mood but the former Rangers defender is urging caution.

The 31-year-old, who set up Killie’s second goal for Souleyman Coulibaly, said: “This month is something we spoke about. The schedule is up on the wall and a few things have been written on it specifically about this month, just how crucial it’s going to be.

“We haven’t set ourselves a points target, as such. But the games are all winnable, if we prepare right and recover right.

“Aberdeen will be hurting. They’ve lost two big games and a row and will be looking for a reaction. ‘I know, you can say we could use Aberdeen’s situation against them and put the pressure on. But, remember, we spoke about similar things before we went to Ibrox last time and we ended up on the wrong side of a 3-0 defeat. So we know what to expect off a big team coming off the back of two really disappointing losses.

“Yes, the Aberdeen crowd can be demanding. I know that. It can be difficult for the home team. We said the same thing about going to play Rangers. Aberdeen came here and turned us over at the start of the season, so we know they’re a good side. It’s not about owing them one. They beat us well on the day, it was maybe one of their best performances of the season but we were really poor. If we don’t change that, it will be the same again on Tuesday night.”