McInnes won’t rest up until Euro spot sealed

St Johnstone 0 Kilmarnock 2 Wright 23, Watkins 81

DEREK McINNES declared Kilmarnock ready to relish the top-six challenge and nail down fourth place as soon as possible.

Killie opened up a yawning eight-point gap on St Mirren thanks to a goal in each half from Joe Wright and Marley Watkins.

Celebrations at the final whistle suggested the visiting support are busy sorting the holiday time off for European travel.

McInnes wouldn’t wish to put them off as there seems to be no stopping their improvement in the manager’s second full season in charge.

Kilmarnock still hadn’t won an away game in the Premiership season by this date last year. Now they’re on a run of only one league defeat — to Rangers — in 11 matches since the winter break.

McInnes cautiously insisted the job of confirming continental qualification hasn’t been completed yet. However, he stressed: ‘The split will be terrific — games against all the best teams in the league.

‘There’s a lot riding on it for so many teams and we’ll be right in the mix.

‘The fans can enjoy the moment and I’ve asked the players to enjoy it — hopefully we’ve a few more special days and highlights to come before the end of the season.’

Killie were in control from kick-off, making the most of an extra central midfielder.

Kyle Vassell scuffed a superb chance inside two minutes but had no cause to look back in anger.

On 23 minutes, Liam Polworth dropped a delivery into the danger area and Joe Wright won the battle of the centre-backs. Andy Considine was rooted to the spot as Wright hooked a rightfoot shot home for his third goal of the season.

Saints improved early in the second period but Killie wrested back momentum and Watkins tapped in from two yards after Robbie Deas headed a Danny Armstrong free-kick back across goal.

For St Johnstone, this marked another backward step in the wake of what appeared a significant victory at Hibs.

Levein lamented: ‘The rollercoaster is back in operation. It was a hell of a frustrating afternoon.

‘Individually, we didn’t have that many players who played anywhere near their best.’

ST JOHNSTONE (4-3-1-2): Mitov; Keltjens (Franczak 88), McGowan, Considine, Robinson; M Smith, Phillips (C Smith 69), Gallacher; Kucheriavyi (Carey 59); Clark (May 88), Sidibeh (Kimpioka 88). Subs (not used):

Richards, MacPherson, Crawford. Booked: None.

KILMARNOCK (3-5-2): Dennis; Wright (Deas 63), Mayo, Findlay; Armstrong (Ndaba 88), Watson (Lyons 77), Donnelly, Polworth (McKenzie 77), Kennedy; Vassell (Van Veen 88), Watkins. Subs (not used):

O’Hara, Balagizi, Stewart, Mackay-Steven. Booked:

None. Referee: Calum Scott. Attendance: 4,087.