Shiels sees derby chance

Kenny Shiels was delighted to see his transformation of Kilmarnock bear more fruit last night as his players set up the intriguing prospect of an Ayrshire derby semi-final.

Killie beat ten-man East Fife 2-0 at Rugby Park in the Scottish Communities League Cup, with Robert Ogleby’s sending-off in first-half injury-time ultimately destroying East Fife’s genuine hopes of adding another SPL scalp following wins over Dunfermline and Aberdeen.

Mohamadou Sissoko scored following a 73rd-minute corner and Gary Harkins fired a second with ten minutes left.

Shiels did not raise any preference for the semi-final draw but he knows a derby against Ayr United would be a major event.

“When I first came to the club they told me it was the second biggest derby in Europe after Barcelona (against Real Madrid),” he said. “Even the little villages outside Kilmarnock, I’m told some are all Ayr United and some villages are all Kilmarnock supporters.”