Erwin shows he can take the heat without Boyd
tried to focus on enjoying this last little period. Normally when the manager names the team and you’re not in it its a blow. Obviously if I know I’m not playing I don’t let it affect me so much, if I’m called upon I’m needed.
“I was happy to come on and contribute and maybe play with a bit more freedom than normal and enjoy the game as much as I LEE Erwin came out of cold storage at a freezing Rugby Park on Saturday to prove to Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke he can be another option to Kris Boyd and Eamonn Brophy up front.
There have been minutes from the bench but merely two starts under Clarke since his appoint- could. People say ‘this could be your last game’ and these games literally are for me.
“I’ll probably speak to you on Wednesday!
“I thought I’d maybe already played my last game because the gaffer is thinking long term but then we have Pete [Hartley] is still suspended, Elliot [Frear] is still struggling a bit, Ellis Plummer too. I thought with ment as manager in October, and not a single goal prior to Saturday’s lastgasp William Hill Scottish Cup winner against Ross County to add to the two early in the campaign.
With 17 minutes remaining, however, of an instantly forgettable tie – “a horrible game”, was how Erwin described it – Clarke brought off Boyd and Brophy for Erwin and Greg Kiltie with the Tom coming off Carl would have gone back in there. But it was good the gaffer trusts me.
“It was great to come out and play a part in a massive game.”
Hammell is already juggling the last few days of his playing career with his new role, surrounded by more than one or two familiar faces with Stephen McManus and Keith Lasley holding coaching roles at the match goalless. With time running out, referee Bobby Madden ruled Tim Chow placed his hand on Rory McKenzie’s back with sufficient force to send the Kilmarnock player flying and awarded a penalty while sending the Ross County player off.
And with regular kicker Boyd removed, Erwin showed the confidence required for such a highpressure situation to fire home low into the corner.
“I thought it was a penalty,” said Erwin. “Rory did well to get in behind. I just ran to get the ball. Luckily I found the net.”
Yet the script was very nearly re-written in the most dramatic fashion by the very player he had just placed the ball behind into that net.
In injury time, Ross County goalkeeper Aaron McCarey headed goal- wards when up for a corner and protested that his effort had crossed the line before opposite number Jamie Macdonald saved.
Clarke hinted matchwinner Erwin, 23, has bucked up his attitude.
“I don’t know what’s happened over the break but he’s obviously gone away and reassessed himself,” Clarke said. “Lee’s shown up really well in training.”