Duo are in tune for Killie
Stuart Findlay’s firsthalf header was the only difference between the sides in a closely contested affair at Firhill. Steve Clarke piled praise on his central defensive duo after their work at both ends of the park earned a fifth league win on the bounce.
Stuart Findlay headed home his second of the season and celebrated with a jig of joy with his Kilmarnock team-mates.
But Clarke reckons Findlay is dancing to partner Kirk Broadfoot’s tune with the pair forming a defensive rock upon which their success is being built.
The Rugby Park boss said: “The two central defenders – Kirk and Stuart – were outstanding. One is at the latter end of his career and another just starting out so it was good to see. They were a good combination.
“We never really got into a rhythm or created too much going forward but little moments of quality can win you the game and we got that with the cross from Jordan Jones and a good header from Stuart.
“The cross made it – it was a terrific delivery from Jordan – and Stuart was in the right place. It’s his second goal but this one was a proper goal, the one at St Johnstone wasn’t quite as nice to watch. Kirk has been outstanding since I came to the club. He has been a fixture in the team.
“I’ve known Kirk a long time as he has been in the game for a while and you get to know their qualities.
“He’s getting on in years but trains hard every day and his game has improved as he’s got older.”
Killie are unbeaten in 10 league games for the first time since being promoted to the top flight in 1994.
They can close the gap on fourth-placed Hibs to four points if they win their game in hand against Hamilton.
A huge travelling support cheered Killie on at Firhill and Clarke said: “We had over 1600 people supporting us on what wasn’t a very nice day and for a game where they might have felt they had better things to do.
“We’ve made a good connection with the fans and slowly they’re coming back. Long may it continue.”