Berra admits he’d want season over if it wasn’t for the cup final

niggle by pulling out of challenges and getting injured, stuff like that.

“In this day and age, if you’re an ultimate professional, then you can’t play like that in a competitive match. Don’t get me wrong, there will be days when you’re not fully at it, you might not be playing your best and making mistakes, but it’s not down to the will for trying.

“For me personally, and I think I speak for the boys, when you cross that white line you’ve got your personal pride, first and foremost. You’re doing it for yourself, the fans, your family, everyone.”

Findlay’s goal was one of few highlights from a match that, while played at 110mph, lacked a bit of quality in the final third. That was, until he rifled home a weak clearance from Gar y Dicker’s cross, prompting scenes of unbridled joy in the away end.

In terms of the chase for Europe it was

CHRISTOPHE BERRA

“Is the final keeping spirits up? It’s got to, really. There’s that light at the end of the tunnel”

a huge result for the Ayrshire side. Not only does it pull them ahead of Aberdeen in third place, it also ensures their place in the top four, which will be enough for a Europa League spot if Celtic do as expected and defeat Hearts at Hampden on 25 May. Kilmarnock finish with matches at home to Hibs and away to Rangers.

“E v e n w i t h o u t t h i n k i n g a b o u t Europe, just finishing high up the table would be a really good achievement,” said the goalscorer. “It’s clever the way the gaffer treats it, though, just telling us to look at the points total. If you do that, you only look at the table at the end of the season – and it will speak for itself.

“I obviously don’t need to tell you that we’re in that third spot now, so getting the six points would be enough.”