CUP RECORD IS JOR DROPPING
Hero Jones can’t believe he missed out on Hampden first time round in Ayrshire
JORDAN JONES reckons it was “criminal” that Kilmarnock never enjoyed a cup run to Hampden in his first spell in Ayrshire.
But after producing a sensational injury-time volley to see off Dumbarton the super-sub is confident Derek McInnes’ side are well on the way to locking down a second trip to the National Stadium this season.
Jones struck his last-gasp winner sweet as a nut after Danny Armstrong’s cross dropped out the sky to arrest any fears the impressive League Two leaders could leave Killie with a bloody nose.
It comes just a week after McInnes’ side pushed Celtic all the way in the League Cup semi-final.
And the winger, who had a three-year spell at Rugby Park before joining Rangers in 2019, said: “The ball seemed to stay in the air for quite a while but you’re taught as a kid to keep your eye on the ball and try to keep it down. Sometimes in football you just need a little break, a little bit of luck, and luckily the ball fell to me and I managed to keep it down.
“Last week was disappointing but it’s made the squad more hungry to get back there. The first time I was here we didn’t get to Hampden, which I always felt was a big miss.
“To not go on a cup run was criminal, considering how well we’d done. We’re just desperate to get back there again now and ticking Dumbarton off the list was the next step.”
Killie were drawn away to Dundee United in the last 16 but for now Jones is focused on three cup finals in the Premiership as Killie look to pull clear of the dropzone.
And the Northern Ireland international might be hitting form at the right time after a barren start to the campaign.
A trip to bottom dogs Ross County awaits on Saturday and with Danny Armstrong suspended, Jones could well find himself back in from the start after his first goal of the season.
After Dingwall comes a midweek home clash with third bottom United, quickly followed by a trip to Livingston.
Wigan loanee Jones said: “These are three vital games. We’ve got to be confident we can go and get points.
“But I’ve played at Ross County many times and I’ve never had an easy game. I’ll openly admit that I don’t think I’ve been at my best.
“It’s not for the lack of trying, and confidence is a massive thing in football. You’ve got to keep working hard, and little moments like that goal are going to help in the long run.
“There are two types of confidence. I’m always going to be confident in my ability.
“Then there’s a confidence from going on the pitch and things just happening for you.
“I just don’t feel like I’ve been at that level this season but I’m working every day trying to get back there.”
Killie looked laboured against the Sons after a hectic spell that saw them tackle the Old Firm three times in two weeks.
But Ash Taylor, Scott Robinson and Joe Wright all went close before Christian Doidge was denied by a superb Brett Long save. Then Jones produced his 91st-minute magic to sighs of relief all round.