SAVOUR JOY OF TOP SIX
Del and Killie loving it as Euro slot looms
DEREK McINNES vowed Kilmarnock are set to savour every second of their topsix schedule after soaring eight points clear in fourth.
Goals from Joe Wright and Marley Watkins secured a superb away success. The travelling fans celebrated as if a European spot was theirs.
It’s hard to persuade them otherwise after one defeat – to Rangers – in 11 league games since the winter break.
McInnes stressed that the job isn’t done yet but said that the tough challenges ahead should be relished.
He said: “The fans can enjoy the moment and I’ve asked the players to enjoy it – it’s not always easy being involved in football.
“As managers and players it can be tough and challenging, a bit soul-searching at times.
“You’ve got to try to enjoy these types of moments but forgive me for saying we’ve still got work to do to secure it.
“Nobody of a Kilmarnock persuasion is going to think otherwise until we are secure.
“But privately we’re really pleased because we felt that if we won against Ross County and beat St Johnstone it would take a huge step forward to secure European football.
“Hopefully we’ve a few more special days to come before the end of the season. The split will be terrific for us – games against all the best teams in the league.
“There’s a lot riding on it for so many teams and we’ll be right in the mix.”
Ki l li e were typical ly professional throughout and got off to a whirlwind start in a wild Perth wind. Kyle Vassell spurned a chance eight yards out from a Watkins cross inside two minutes.
But they kept the pressure on, Danny Armstrong skimmed the top of the crossbar and Wright’s third goal of the season was due reward.
Liam Polworth clipped in a delivery to drop into the heart of the area and defender Wright edged out Andy Considine to hook a shot past Dimitar Mitov.
Killie made the most of an extra man in midfield while Saints were hampered in efforts to unleash the speed threat of Adama Sidibeh.
Luke Robinson’s drive, saved by the legs of Will Dennis, was the home side’s first shot on target 32 minutes in.
Mitov was the busier keeper. His one v one stop from Watkins was special but, as he tried to sort out his defence from the resulting corner, Matty y Kennedy caught him out.
The quickly- taken kick ck cracked the crossbar as Mitov ov scrambled back to his line.
Saints failed to make the he most of early second half lf opportunities to drag themmselves level. Sidibeh’s head flick k opened up space for Nicky y Clark but composure deserted d the top scorer and he volleyed d over.
Even the Saints centre backs joined in on 76 minutes. Dennis pushed onto the woodwork from Ryan McGowan then Stuart Findlay hurled himself at Considine’s rebound attempt.
McInnes reached to his bench for Brad Lyons and Rory McKenzie to bring an extra spark and that worked a treat.
Mitov forced away a dig from distance by Polworth then denied Findlay’s header.
Saints’ marking was no better as Armstrong’s free-kick was dropped into the nightmare zone for defence and keeper.
Robbie Deas rose to nod the ball across goal and Watkins tucked into an empty net for his 13th strike of the campaign.
Benji Kimpioka conjured a stunning overhead kick on 90 minutes and came within inches of making stoppage time interesting.
McInnes added: “Our subs were influential. McKenzie and Lyons gave us a jag in there.
“We started to play the ball more in St Johnstone’s half and gained territory and pressure.”