Clark head over heels

Somersaulting striker Souleymane Coulibaly has Rugby Park boss waxing lyrical after his debut goal, finds Lindsay Herron

IVORIAN Souleymane Coulibaly became an instant favourite with the Kilmarnock supporters with some sensational celebrations after sending his side to victory. The 21-year-old Spurs academy graduate performed a spectacular somersault after a clever back heel 21 minutes from time.

And, manager Lee Clark hopes the striker’s gymnastics are a regular occurrence in the new season as he re-shapes his side following 11 new signings.

Coulibaly’s goal was timely because Killie had survived a penalty scare just eight minutes earlier. He showed great skill when he took Josh Magennis’ low ball in his stride with his back to goal and produced a cool finish having missed a series of earlier chances.

But Clark was not surprised because he knows the quality of his new striker. He said: “Souley has the knack that all good goal-scorers have, he never gives up and keeps playing even if he has missed some chances.

“His goal was all about quickness of the brain and I think the fans enjoyed his celebration although I’m not sure the medical department did.

“But I’m hoping I see that every week because that means he’s putting the ball in the net and I’m sure he will do well. The fans will take to him because he is a bright spark. He’s a super kid. He loves scoring goals and he has got into the group quickly.”

Coulibaly could have made things more comfortable earlier in the game but missed with three headers.

On 22 minutes he headed straight at John Gibson, and just nine minutes later he should have done much better when skipper Stevie Smith delivered a great free kick to the back post but the header was too high.

Thirteen minutes into the second half Josh Magennis crossed from the right and Coulibaly headed wide from five yards before booting the right post in frustration.

It was centre-back Will Boyle who scored the crucial second goal in 76 minutes when he rose to head home Jordan Jones’ corner. It was atonement for giving away a penalty in 61 minutes which gave the League Two side the chance to create an early season shock.

Boyle was booked for handling Dylan Easton’s shot but Scott Linton fluffed the spotkick and Jamie MacDonald saved easily. Jamie Watson did find a late counter, meeting Easton’s free kick three minutes from time, but Clyde boss Barry Ferguson knows the penalty miss was pivotal.

He said: “We should have won the game. We felt a bit sorry for ourselves after we missed the penalty but I don’t think there was a massive difference between the sides.”