Comeback is on, says Magennis, as Killie dig deep to beat Saints

JOSH Magennis insists Kilmarnock’s 2-1 win over St Johnstone at Rugby Park on Saturday was a further sign of recovery for the Ayrshire side.

A 4-0 home defeat to Dundee on the opening day of the Ladbrokes Premiership and a similar scoreline when Ross County visited last month were two results in particular which had the Killie fans in some distress.

Last week’s 2-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice was the first league win of the season for Gary Locke’s side and it was followed by the first home league victory against Saints, although the home supporters had to suffer through David Wotherspoon’s 17thminute opener.

Magennis’ header in the 40th minute sent the teams into the interval level and there was more than an element of the freakish about Killie’s 60th-minute winner when Rory Mckenzie’s cross struck Saints left-back Brian Easton before looping over goalkeeper Alan Mannus.

However, Northern Ireland international Magennis believes the Rugby Park side, now eighth in the table, are back on track and looking forward to taking confidence into the home League Cup tie against Hearts on Wednesday night. The 25-year-old said: “We never doubted that we were a good team. It was more frustration and disappointment because with the players we have we should not be getting beaten 4-0 at home and blown away in games.

“The last two games have shown that not only can we play football but we can also dig deep.”

Saints manager Tommy Wright criticised his side’s defending saying: “It has to get better,” – and must get his side ready for their trip to Ibrox tomorrow to tackle Rangers in the third round of the League Cup.