Kilmarnock midfielder Sean Longstaff hopes that interim manager Lee McCulloch will be appointed as the permanent Rugby Park boss, saying that the players love working under him.

Longstaff, who is on loan at Killie from Newcastle, has been delighted with the way that McCulloch has stepped in and seamlessly continued the work that was being done by former boss Lee Clark.

And he hopes that a win over Ross County today will put the former Rangers and Scotland player in pole position to take the reins on a full-time basis.

“Everyone is fully behind Jig and I think everyone loves being around him and the staff,” Longstaff said.

“They are great with us, so I would love Jig to get the job, and all we can do is get the results on the pitch that will help him claim that spot

“To be fair it’s been pretty much the same [since he took over]. Obviously Jig was there when Lee was here, so Jig has just stepped in and he’s done the same sort of job.

“The lads have all been brilliant too. It’s a pretty young team but even the older lads are young at heart and they keep everyone laughing.

“It’s just a really good place to be around.”

Longstaff has good memories of playing against the Staggies, with the young midfielder bagging a late winner in a 3-2 win earlier this season on his league debut.

He is hoping that both he and the team can repeat the feat today as they head into a crucial period in their battle to avoid the drop.

“It was my first league game for Kilmarnock and it was a dream start really,” he said. “All I remember was the crowd and how loud it was.

“In the changing room afterwards all the lads were buzzing and it was a feeling that I had never had before. It was my first win in professional football so hopefully we can do the same on Saturday.

“We’ve got three massive games which could define our season over the next three weeks. Everyone is pulling together and if we can pick up as many points as we can over those games then hopefully that will be enough.

“If not, we just have to go again against the three big boys, but we’re all together and looking forward to it really.”