Jaakkola and Bell are vying for the number one jersey at Rugby Park

Mixu Paatelainen says Anssi Jaakkola has been starting for Kilmarnock on merit and not because of goalkeeping rival Cammy Bell's contract situation.

Bell is out of contract in the summer and other clubs have been monitoring the Scotland international's progress.

"Cammy was injured and Anssi Jaakkola came and did fantastically well and kept two clean sheets," said the Kilmarnock manager.

"When I choose a team to play, contracts don't come in to it at all."

Bell returned from injury in time for Sunday's Scottish Premier League clash against Rangers but was left out of of the squad for the trip to Ibrox.

Paatelainen's fellow Finn kept his place and Welshman Kyle Letheren was on the bench.

Speaking on the day Bell was also omitted from Craig Levein's Scotland squad to face Brazil, Paatelainen described newspaper reports that he had taken the 24-year-old Bell's contract situation into account as "total and utter nonsense."

Cammy is training and fighting for his place Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen

"Somebody said I had confirmed that I had frozen out Cammy Bell because he hasn't signed a new contract and that is total and utter nonsense," said the Kilmarnock manager.

"In my mind, the best team plays, the team that gives us the best chance to win the match.

"So I don't just look at one player in the squad, I look at everybody.

"I want to be fair and I made the decision that Anssi played, as simple as that - not because of Cammy's contract situation, not because of Anssi's situation or anybody's situation."

Paatelainen is hoping an agreement over a new deal can be reached with Bell but insists the goalkeeping department is one area in which the Rugby Park club are particularly strong.

"Cammy is training and fighting for his place," said the former Hibs boss.

"I have spoken to him about the contract situation. I don't know where we are, but we will see how things develop.

"But I hope to keep him. Cammy is a good goalkeeper, there is no question.

"He has done really well this season, but we have a bit of luxury because we have three very good goalkeepers."

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