Jamie tells fans to give new crop time to flourish
JAMIE MacDONALD has called on the suffering Kilmarnock supporters not to rush to judgement on the new-look squad at Rugby Park, insisting they will see a talented and competitive team in time.
With 11 new players brought in and the same number departed, manager Lee Clark is juggling with systems, formations and relationships within the entire structure.
The team that started against Morton was much changed from the one that edged Clyde last time out so it is maybe unsurprising that a settled formula has yet to be found.
However, time is the enemy in football and keeper MacDonald knows Kilmarnock must find their rhythm quickly with the Premiership kick-off only 12 days away.
MacDonald said: “It is hard trying to bed in so many players and win. Things just don’t happen overnight and this was only our second game.
“It would be harsh to judge the boys on the performance. At times we played good football but the second half was disappointing.
“There was no purpose to our passing after we lost the second goal and we didn’t create any chances. We need to make sure the standards are lifted for the next game.
“The goals we lost were disappointing and after losing the second we didn’t have that bit of urgency to get back in it.
“It now looks like we definitely have to win our last two games to finish as best runner-up. That is very disappointing.”
Killie must beat Berwick tomorrow night and then take care of Albion Rovers next Saturday to hope to claim one of the qualifying spots and MacDonald knows it’s a steep learning curve for some of the squad who are only used to academy football in England.
He said: “There are some talented players and you saw glimpses. I thought Jordan Jones was really direct and good technically.
“But a l ot of them haven’t played first-team football. It is completely different to what they are used to at Under 21 level.
“Games there are not as intense. It is not the same as playing for relegation and promotion. Once we find our feet then we can be competitive.”
MacDonald admits he was i mpressed with Morton’s teenage star Jai Quitongo – son of former Hearts and Hamilton’s Jose – who gave the Killie defence such a hard time.
Quitongo scored the second goal in 67 minutes after robbing Jonathan Burn of possession and producing a class finish.
MacDonald said: “I just missed his dad. He was a few years before I came in at Hearts, but I remember watching him.
“Jai was excellent for Morton. He is a strong boy for 18. Even up against Big Miles Addison he gave as good as he got.”
It was Gary Oliver who gave Jim Duffy’s side the lead with a clever run and finish in seven minutes and midfielder Ross Forbes says the Morton boss deserves great credit for trusting youth.
It was Quitongo’s first start on Saturday while Lewis Strapp and Scott Tiffoney have also played.
Forbes said: “It’s credit to young boys and the gaffer that they have pushed through and taken their chances.
“Jai started on Saturday while Strappy and Tiff have also played this season.
“They are next to us in training and we know how good they are. They won their league last year so it’s only right that they get a chance to shine and they have done that.
“Jai had no fear and that comes when you’re young. Tiff got man of the match last Tuesday night and Jai got it on Saturday so it’s so positive that young boys are doing that.
“I don’t know if other teams have strengthened more than us because the young boys might be better than anything they’ve got.
“It looks bad when experienced players are leaving but the gaffer has trusted these young boys and they are delivering for us.”