Clarkson have Buddies buzzing
The Ivory Coast striker opened his Rugby Park account with a cheeky back- heel as Kilmarnock got their League Cup campaign up and running with a win at Broadwood.
The former Peterborough United man reeled off a couple of backflips to celebrate which delighted the fans - and terrified his bench.
Will Boyle added a second before Jamie Watson pulled on back late on for the Bully Wee but it was Coulibaly who stole the show.
Delighted Killie boss Clark said: “The fans enjoyed the celebrations but I’m not sure the medical department did. They were panicking but we’l l let Souleymane away with that one.
“I’m hoping my physio is panicking every game because it’ ll mean he’s putting the ball in the back of the net.
“He has the good goalscorer’s knack of not being worried about missing chances. He never gave in until the last whistle and it was a typical poacher’s goal with speed of thought.
“The fans will love him because he’s a real bright spark.”
But while Clark was thrilled with kicking off the new campaign with a win, he was unhappy with the display.
Clyde’s Scott Linton missed a penalty when the game was still locked at 0- 0 and Killie took advantage.
The Rugby Park boss insisted his new-look side will pick up in the coming weeks – with a League Cup clash against Greenock Morton next Saturday followed by group games against Berwick Rangers and Albion Rovers
Clark said: “I was disappointed with our overall performance. We’re happy to win the game and there were some good individual performances.
“But we know there’s a lot more to come. Some of the new lads have hit the ground running more than others.
“So we need to dig in and get it right. Usually you have time in pre-season but we are in the cup and I want to have a run this year.”
There was so many new arrivals at Rugby Park this summer the first day of pre-season training must have felt like a speed dating session.
There were 11 new faces who che cke d in for C l a rk ’ s side on one day – and f ive of them were handed star t s against Clyde.
There was Jamie Cobain and Boyle at the back, with cushioned header down for his strike partner, who unleashed a splendid volley into the top corner from 20 yards.
The excellent Cadden levelled after the break after cutting in from the left flank and curling a terrific shot into the bottom corner.
Carrick wasted no time in making himself an immediate fans favourite, turning a Cadden cross into the box just 60 seconds after coming on as a substitute to make it 2-1.
Morgan restored parity within five minutes, dancing into the box and seeing his cross loop into the net after catching the wind.
Clarkson then had the last word when the Callum McFadzean in midfield and Flo Bojaj and Coulibaly up top.
It was too soon in pre-season for Kris Boyd while Josh Magennis was on the bench after his Euro 2016 exploits with Northern Ireland.
The front two may have just met but they looked pretty lively.
Coulibaly in particular was a real threat - and should have plundered a couple of goals before he eventually hit the net.
The 21-year-old former Spurs kid was the obv ious targetman and he constantly found space. It will take time but he looks likely to find his way to goal once he gets warmed up. Killie were knocking the ball about nicely from the off but Clyde were hardly standing back and admiring. Barry Ferguson’s side caused problems throughout and felt they should have had a penalty when Sean Higgins was bear-hugged by Boyle in the box. The claim was waved away but the League Two side were in the fight and were awarded a spot-kick after the break. The superb Easton carved open the visitors at the back and his shot was blocked by Boyle’s arm. The defender experienced frontman latched on to an inviting bouncing ball 25 yards from goal and proceeded to fire an unstoppable drive beyond Kelly.
Despite the defeat, Livi boss David Hopkirk saw plenty of cause for optimism as the Lions attempt to bounce back from relegation to League One.
But for the brilliance of Clarkson, they could easily have claimed all three points. .
He said: “We totally dominated the second half, scored two great goals and all in all I am happy with the performance.
“The only disappointment is that we haven’t managed to take something from the game.” received a booking but was let off the hook as Linton’s poor penalty was saved by MacDonald.
Killie had a hand ball shout of their own soon after, which was ignored, but Coulibaly finally got the goal he deserved with 20 minutes to go.
McKenzie did the grafting down the right and his cutback found the hitman with his back to goal. It looked tight to turn - so he didn’t bother and coolly back-heeled into the net instead.
It was a cute finish and Killie went for the kill.
The Rugby Park men forced a corner down the right before sub Jordan Jones picked out Boyle in the box and the defender put the ball away with a powerful downward header.
It wasn’t quite game over, though, as sub Watson superbly volleyed Easton’s whipped free-kick through the crowd to give the Bully Wee hope with three minutes left.
But Killie dug in to get their League Cup campaign up and running.
Ferguson said: “We should have won the game. It was disappointing missing the penalty and we felt a wee bit sorry for ourselves.
“But I don’t think there was a massive difference between a Premiership team and a League Two side.
“We have seven new players and I was delighted with the performance after just three weeks together.”