Jig gets Killie fired up to waltz past Saints with ease
THERE was much chatter before Kilmarnock took on St Johnstone about both club’s managers’ future. But a welldeserved 2-0 victory for Killie may have a bigger say for their caretaker boss Lee McCulloch than it will for Tommy Wright.
Wright had confessed that he would “take a call” from Rangers should one be forthcoming over the Ibrox dugout vacancy.
However, in contrast, McCulloch is awaiting a decision on his chances of replacing Lee Clark on a permanent basis.
And there was much to admire about Kilmarnock as they eased past their hosts with simplicity.
They were aided by some calamitous defend- ing for Rory McKenzie’s superb 11th-minute opener and Saints keeper Zander Clark was again at fault for Conor Sammon’s second-half header.
McKenzie, though, believes McCulloch is deserving of as much praise as he is for a magnificent 40-yard lob.
“As far as I know he doesn’t know what’s happening, so he’s just taking it a game at a time,” said McKenzie. “But a win on Saturday can’t do him any harm.”
When Clark miscued a Steven Anderson pass back the ball landed kindly for McKenzie, and the 23-year-old showed great precision to flight his return into the empty net.
Saints were stirred by Wright’s half-time scolding but their improved performance never looked like earning them anything. If Killie’s first goal summed up what Wright branded a “brutal”first-half, their second was no more than they deserved.
Jordan Jones slung over a cross from the left and Sammon rose to nod down and through the clutches of a disappointed Clark at his near post.