Clarke’s pelters pay off
Steve Clarke praised his Kilmarnock stars for giving him the reaction he demanded after last week’s shocker against Aberdeen.
The Rugby Park boss had read the riot act after a sleepy start the previous weekend saw them go 2- 0 down in 12 minutes.
But the Ayrshire men reacted with a flying start against St Johnstone, taking the lead after just 10 minutes through Stuart Findlay’s first goal of his senior career.
It to o k another strike from Eamonn Brophy – not to mention a slice of luck asDavid Wotherspoon’s late drive hit the post – to secure victory but Clarke was thrilled with his side’s reaction.
He said: “You’ve got to be pleased if you have a pop at your players like I did last week and they respond in that manner.
“But I knew in training I knew I had them with me. They accepted the criticism because it was all constructive and positive.
“In training this week there was a little edge to the team I think you saw. That’s good for the club.
“We shaded it although were lucky at the end when Wotherspoon’s shot came back off the post.”
Clarke insisted there was no risk of Killie’s team bus being caught up in the accident that forced Saints to change their team line-up. He added: “It wasn’t our issue, we were here in plent y of time. “I just hope everyone involved in the accident is okay.”