Wright insists Killie are not a ‘dirty team’

Joe Wright has dismissed suggestions Kilmarnock are a “dirty team” despite their poor disciplinary record this season.

Derek McInnes’ side have received six red cards in total this season; Liam Donnelly was suspended for Saturday’s game against Dundee after receiving a red card for last weekend’s defeat to St Johnstone.

Wright was responsible for two of the six sending offs and was shown red at the final break in Perth before VAR intervention reduced the decision to yellow.

Asked about Killie’s troubles, Wright said: “Obviously I’ve had a couple myself, I’ve taken responsibility for them and done my best to learn from it.”

“And I think that’s what we need to do as a group, is learn from those mistakes.

“Obviously it’s frustrating for the people who got sent off, but more so for the team, the support and the management.

“It’s something I’ve never had a problem with before. Before this season I’d only seen one red card in my whole career.

“So I wouldn’t say we were a dirty team or anything like that, I just think it was like London buses, they all came at the same time.”

Wright says he now tries to avoid diving into challenges, as well as “adapting” his game to avoid further run-ins with referees.

“I talked to the manager,” he said. “He just talked to me about getting back to last season. I don’t even think I normally collect this many yellows.

“So getting two red cards in such a short period of time is something I’m trying to learn as well, take responsibility and also address the way I train. I’ll stay on my feet more, probably adapt a little bit to help myself on match days.

“I’m just trying to slow people down a little bit more. I’m a defender who likes to be aggressive, likes to put players under pressure, but I think there are times when I adapt that a little bit.”