Derek McInnes hopes his St Johnstone side respond to last week's defeat against Rangers in the usual way by beating Kilmarnock in their Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier league clash at Rugby Park.

The Perth men were unlucky to lose at home last week to a late Rangers winner after more than matching the SPL champions for most of the game.

However, McInnes is hoping his side's peculiar record of winning every game after a defeat continues in Ayrshire.

"The fact is that every time we have lost a game this season we have always responded by winning the next game," he said.

"We lost to Celtic then we won in the Co-operative Insurance Cup against Arbroath.

"We lost at Hibs then beat them in the Co-op cup, lost at Dundee United and then beat Hamilton.

"This goes back to the beginning of last season when the same thing happened to us in the league.

"The players are still hurting from last week and this is the chance for them to make amends.

"We have to concentrate on the positives from last week.

"We analysed the game on Monday and a lot of our play was really good and in fact the only negative was the result.

"In general I have been pleased with their performances. It has been a great effort from the players."

McInnes also backed midfielder Murray Davidson to bounce back from the disappointment of missing a great chance against Rangers, which could have swung the game in the home side's direction.

The St Johnstone boss said: "I read some comments from Murray this week about the chance but he shouldn't beat himself up about it.

"He will score with a fair percentage of chances and if he gets a similar chances I would back him to score against Killie.

"But it will be a very difficult game. They are very experienced side, an established SPL side with options in attack and midfield, so we will have to play well.

"But if we play to our capabilities then we will be confident."