Willie Gibson and Frazer Wright have both made the step up

Defender Wright was plucked from Stranraer, while Gibson has just arrived from Queen of the South.

"You just need to work hard and not let your head go down," Wright explained about the way he handled the step up from Scotland's lower divisions.

"It's important that, if you get in the team, you make sure you stay there. You have to take your chance."

Wright arrived at Kilmarnock two years ago and has now established himself as a first-team regular.

And Gibson will be asked to make a similar impact following his �65,000 transfer and a possible debut against St Mirren on Saturday.

The 22-year-old had returned to the First Division club on loan as a condition of the deal but has completed his move following Queens' exit from the Scottish Cup.

"I'm a wee bit older than him so never really came across him when I was at Stranraer, but he looks as though he is a good player," added Wright.

"All the senior boys in the squad - Allan Johnson, Gary Locke - really helped me to fit in when I first came.

"They made me feel part of the team and there is a really good atmosphere at the club.