SAMMON’S HAD KRIS OF LIFE WITH KILLIE
KILMARNOCK hitman Conor Sammon may be in his third decade and boast a career that’s taken him from the Premier League to nine caps for his country.
But the Irishman insists that he’s still learning every time he steps on the pitch with his Rugby Park strike partner Kris Boyd.
Sammon grabbed the vital late goal that snatched a point for Killie from under the noses of Partick Thistle, taking his recent tally to three in four games.
The stats are looking good for a loan striker who had managed just one goal in the entire season before that during a miserable spell at Hearts.
But Sammon reckons his soaring confidence is only part of the reason why he’s hitting the goals trail again, inspired by the example of goal machine Boyd, who just last week entered the record books by racking up a century of goals for Killie.
He said: “Kris is brilliant to play with. You know the goal threat he has with his movement and when he gets a chance more often than not he takes it.
“I’ve learned an awful lot from him in the short space of time I’ve been here just training with him every day.
“He’s a great target to play off and you can see how awkward he is for defenders to play against.
“The fact I’m still learning from Kris at my age speaks volume for his quality and the career he’s had.
“It’s not just the amount of goals he’s scored – there’s more to his game than that.
“I know, playing out wide, he’s going to win flick-ons and if he’s in position he’s going to look for you.
“There were a couple of moments against Thistle where things were really close to coming off.
“I guess it just proves the old phrase that you’re never too old to learn.
“Before I left Hearts, I had a brief chat with Ian Cathro where he said he didn’t see me getting many chances, so I was keen to go on loan.
“I’m at the stage where I want to play games. I’m grateful to Killie for giving me that opportunity. I want to grab it with both hands.”