Ford: Keeping it in the familyFord driven by family memories

But he certainly appreciates the impact the returning Gers boss has had ahead of Sunday's Scottish Premier League clash at Rugby Park. Ford regularly travelled up to Scotland to watch former England winger Walters play, and he hopes his uncle will return the compliment for next month's CIS Cup final. Ford said: "I've not spoken to him yet, my dad says he is away. I'd like him to come, he's not seen me play up here actually. "I used to come up and watch him a lot. As soon as I was old enough to fly by myself, I wanted to come up. I loved football and he was a footballer. "I used to watch him train and play. "He used to tell me about the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic and I never understood it. "It was funny because I remember, one game, Paul Elliot came over and they had breakfast together and played against each other that afternoon, which was a strange one for me. "But it didn't make any difference once they got on the pitch." Ford cannot remember whether Smith or Graeme Souness was in charge when he watched the Gers train. "I honestly can't remember, I was just standing on the sidelines," the former Grimsby defender said. But he knows all about the impact Smith has had since returning to Ibrox a month ago. Ford said: "I've seen them in a couple of games on the TV, they look like they have more character about them. "There seems to be a lift since he has gone there, the players look lively, more like their old selves." Killie have not beaten the Gers under Jefferies and Ford admits it is a burden they want to remove. "We try not to think about stuff like that but obviously it is on our minds," the 25-year-old said. "We haven't beaten the Old Firm since I came up here and for a few years before that, so it's something we want to get off our back and there is no better time than Sunday. "We have had three clean sheets now and we're on a high. "Although they are a different team, I don't see why we can't give them a game and hopefully get that win."