Killie poised for Russell capture

Russell scored twice for Airdrie in Wednesday's play-off

Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies expects to beat the likes of Dundee United to sign Airdrie United's Allan Russell.

The Ayrshire club failed in a bid to add the 27-year-old striker to his squad in January but will tie up the deal once Airdrie's season is over.

"The chairman and agent are going over the details, crossing the t's and dotting the i's," said Jefferies.

"He had a few choices and he has let the other clubs know that his preferred option is Kilmarnock."

Russell headed two goals on Wednesday to give the Lanarkshire side a 2-0 win away to Raith Rovers and put them within touching distance of the Irn-Bru First Division play-off final.

The former St Mirren forward, who has now scored 26 goals this season, has shown his commitment to Killie already by rejecting offers from Tannadice and England.

There are one or two strikers where we had options on their contracts if they played a certain amount of games Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies

"It was frustrating that we ran out of time on the last day of the January transfer window, but we made a commitment to him at the time that we would sign him when he was out of contract," said Russell.

"In that period, two or three clubs showed an interest. He had to do what was right, talk to them and think about it.

"The big advantage we had is he has got a good chance of going in the team and the other thing is he is from the area."

Russell's arrival will go some way to making up for the sale in January of Colin Nish to Hibernian.

But he will have to wait to see who partners him up front as the future of the likes of Paul Di Giacomo and David Fernandez is uncertain.

"There are one or two strikers where we had options on their contracts if they played a certain amount of games," Jefferies said.

"Injuries have stopped that happening. But, because of the season we have had, we are hoping to tie them up and renegotiate new contracts.

"If we can't agree terms, they will go where they accept better terms."

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Paul Dalglish is also looking to win a contract after recovering from the groin injury that has blighted his trial spell.

"He is unlucky he got injured," said Jeffries.

"But he got fit to play a couple of reserve games and I gave him a run last week, so I have got to make a decision on him very soon."

Jefferies is also waiting to hear from Gretna midfielder Gavin Skelton following informal talks last month.

"He had three or four options," added Jefferies.

"I don't think it's a problem for him terms-wise. But, if he talks to everybody, he will get vibes for what is best for him."