Killie cup win was massive for us
Grant Gillespie says Hamilton’s win over Kilmarnock was massive – because they have a lot to prove in the second half of the season.
The midfield ace was felled in the box by Killie debutant Karleigh Osborne in the last minute of stoppage time, with Rakish Bingham scoring the penalty winner, and he hopes the win provides Accies with a massive boost.
He said:“this season it has been a bit against us in the last five or 10 minutes of games and we felt it was something we needed to rectify.
“It looked as if it was heading for a 0-0 and a replay but we showed great character, that we can keep going until the last minute, and it’s gone for us this time rather than against us.
“It was massively important to start the year off right, we know it’s going to be a big second half of the season for us.
“It’s so tight down at the bottom that a couple of wins puts you in the top six, so it was massively important that we started the year off with a win. We’ve done that and it’s about building on this now, not resting on our laurels. We need to keep the performances high.
“We kept believing, we knew if we kept doing the right things results would come for us and that showed. We kept doing the right things, kept pushing and we got the win.”
Gillespie felt the win was deserved and said:“their keeper kept them in the game with some good saves.
“We created the better opportunities, had we been a bit more clinical in the final third we could have had a couple more goals.
“It was definitely a penalty, it was clumsy and I’m not renowned for diving. It was maybe unfortunate, but the referee gave it.
“It was great to get the win and great to be in the next round.
“It’s important for us that we keep building on this – and that starts on Saturday against St Johnstone.”