Jackson eyes up 50th cap as he promises goals for Buddies
SIMEON JACKSON has vowed to bang in the goals and help end Killie’s barren scoring run as he bids to revive his cap career with Canada.
The former St Mirren striker has penned a short-term deal at Rugby Park after answering Angelo Alessio’s striker SOS following Osman Sow’s injury.
Only the Premiership’s bottom two clubs, St Mirren and St Johnstone, have netted less than Killie while full back Stephen O’Donnell is the club’s top scorer with just two goals.
Jackson hasn’t featured since his final game with the Buddies five months ago but insists he’s ready to hit the ground running. And the 32-year-old hopes to get his international career back on track after last featuring in a 1-1 draw against Scotland at Easter Road over two years ago. He said: “I can score for the club. Every team goes through spells where it doesn’t go so well in front of goal but you crack on and there’s more than enough quality here to create chances and make things happen.
“I’m ready and available when needed. The best way is to get straight in there. Ideally, I would love to have had a few reserve games and minutes under my belt but jumping straight in can help get your sharpness back.
“Playing in the Premiership with St Mirren last season was a big BY GAVIN BERRY learning curve for me and I was happy to play my football there.
“I got used to it and playing against the big clubs was a good experience. I really enjoyed it.
“There was a lot of transition at St Mirren and a lot of players moved on. It just didn’t work out but I’ve landed on my feet and I’m ready to move forward.
“I spoke to clubs at various levels. At this time of the season a lot of teams will be in different scenarios and looking forward but most were down south. However, when Killie get on the phone you drop everything and make your way up.
“I’ve been without a club since leaving St Mirren but my family and agent have kept me positive and that is needed at a time like that.
SIMEON JACKSON
“I’ve kept an eye on Killie because of that and there’s a determination to crack on again and meet the levels of last season.”
The striker, just one cap short of 50, watched Canada’s historic 2-0 victory over the USA on Wednesday – their first success over their rivals in 34 years.
Killie loanee Liam Millar is part of the set-up and Jackson hopes the fact national team boss John Herdman is keeping a close eye on Ayrshire will help him.
He said: “I was delighted for the boys. It was a big moment and the fact Liam is playing means the manager is watching what is going on at this club. So that can only help.”