POLY WANTS A CRACKER EVERY WEEK
KILMARNOCK No.2 Tony Docherty has praised Liam Polworth turning his Rugby Park career around and putting in cracking performances every week.
Polworth finished last season on loan at relegated Dunfermline after just two appearances for Killie boss Derek McInnes.
But the midfielder has emerged a mainstay this term after adding greater graft to his craft.
Doc explained: “Poly has been terrific and it was just about making sure he got a run in the team.
“That’s been down to him. When he’s had his opportunity to get in he’s done well.
“He’s a very talented footballer but he’s added to that. We talked with him and agreed he had to do more of the dirty work – and he’s doing that.
“Credit to him. He’s a good boy and he’s knuckled down. Not that there was any problem with him.
“But there were just wee pointers being given and he’s taken them on board.
“He’s certainly showing a side to his game that he probably never showed enough in the past.
“Our midfielders need to get the ball to our attackers and he’s one of the best at that. He sees things that maybe other players can’t. His overall awareness and distribution of the ball is second to none.
“But, as a midfielder, you need to have dig as well and we’re now seeing it. That’s beneficial for him and also for the team.”
Polworth barely featured in the two months after McInnes took charge before joining up with his former Inverness gaffer John Hughes. But Dunfermline went down, Killie returned to the Premiership and Polworth has come good on the top-flight potential that Docherty spotted years ago.
He added: “I actually said to him when we first came in that I was chuffed because I always wanted to work with him.
“I remember him as a young boy when he played in Ryan Christie’s youth team at Inverness.
“Then how well he did at Motherwell in a three with Allan Campbell and (Liam) Donnelly. Hopefully we’re getting his best.
“He could have taken the hump going on loan but he got his head down and worked hard.”