Josh is still full of Euro confidence

KILMARNOCK striker Josh Magennis surprised the club’s fans by turning out in last weekend’s 2-1 away win against Clyde – just three weeks after appearing for Northern Ireland against Wales in the last 16 of the European Championships.

The 25-year-old could still have been sunning himself on a foreign beach instead of playing at Broadwood but, after manager Lee Clark signed a whole new team’s worth of players, he decided to cut short his break so he could get to know them all.

“We have had a massive overhaul – 11 new boys coming in – and there may be a couple of loan signings still to come,” he said.

“It’s important we’re all together and the group dynamic is as strong as it can be for the start of the season.

“To be fair, I had the opportunity to have more time off. I had a discussion with the gaffer but I’m not one of those players who can do nothing for a long time, come back and then expect to turn it on. I need to hit the ground running.

“I’d have been in the gym anyway, just ticking over, and that’s pointless – I’d rather play football instead of running on a treadmill.

“The gaffer was great over the summer. I was in constant contact with him and his assistant and it was just a case of whatever I needed to make sure I was right for the start of the season.

“We came to an agreement I would come in on Monday the 11th. I had a good 10 days away with friends then went away with my family.”

Magennis was Killie’s top scorer last season and, after his experience at the Euros, he can’t wait for the Premiership campaign to start.

“My confidence is at an all-time high,” he revealed. “I know there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance – I had too much arrogance when I was younger – but the gaffer is keeping my feet on the ground.

“Coming back from the Euros has given me a confidence I’ll never again match – unless we go to the World Cup! It’s just something I want to continue.

“I don’t want to take a backwards step now. I don’t want to have the heights of the Euros and then not kick on at domestic level.”