Jones reflects on ‘unbelievable year’ but Killie could top it
KILMARNOCK could end 2018 top of the Premiership which would be this grand old club’s best calendar year since they won the league back in 1965.
That is both remarkable and deserved. This 3-1 win over Dundee was the result of a superb second-half performance full of verve, imagination and intelligence. We should all be getting used to this by now.
Steve Clarke’s side aren’t going anywhere. They have two away games next, at Hamilton and Motherwell, then they are home to St Mirren before the January break. That feasibly could be nine points from nine. These are incredible times at Rugby Park.
“This has been an unbelievable year for us,” said Jordan Jones.
“Everyone says the same thing – that the turnaround since the gaffer came in has been different class. It’s all down to him.
“He knows what he’s doing and the lads have all bought into it. The season before I came we stayed up through the play-offs and then we finished eighth and fifth. We’re near the top now so it’s a good time to be at the club.
“The main thing was to bounce back from that Celtic defeat. The gaffer said last week that that result won’t define our season and he’s right. It was important that we showed our character and took the three points against Dundee – so it’s job done.
“Greg Stewart and Eamonn Brophy have both been brilliant for us, individually and collectively and long may it continue.
“If you look at our attacking players, we’re always going to create chances; we have a pretty good squad at the minute.”
Jones was terrific in the match which was won in the second-half thanks to goals from Kirk Broadfoot, an own goal by Genseric Kusunga and then the excellent Stewart for a third late on.
Jones had to endure much public criticism when he dived to win a penalty against Dundee earlier in the season.
But in this game, he stayed on his feet despite being pushed by Kusunga inside the box just as he was about to shoot.
Jones said: “Do I feel unlucky? It was a penalty and if I’d gone down I’d probably have got it but I tried to stay on my feet and it wasn’t given.
“That’s what happens when you don’t go down. I’d taken a touch and gone across him and he’s pushed me. I tried to keep my balance and didn’t get the penalty.
“I said to the ref that, if I’d gone down, he’d have given it. But I tried to stay up and I didn’t score because I’ve lost my balance as a result of the shove. I’ve been fouled but refs have a hard job and you’ll get some and not others and I didn’t get this one.
“That’s fair enough, it’s all swings and roundabouts. Our fans will give me stick for not going down but that’s how it goes. We were 2-0 up at the time and maybe that had something to do with it.”
‘‘ If you look at our attacking players, we’re always going to creat chances