Robinson has killer instinct for cool Killie
KILMARNOCK had managed to look the team to beat in the Championship without Scott Robinson. With him, they could be a class apart.
A belated first pick for Tommy Wright following a pre-season knee injury, Robinson crowned his first league start with a superbly executed second-half double.
The title favourites have now beaten their derby rivals Ayr, negotiated a difficult day at Dumfries and won at old Premiership rivals Accies — all without conceding a goal.
Robinson was pestering the life out of top-flight defences for Livingston before being frozen out for the final three months of the campaign.
The uncomfortable afternoon he gave Brian Easton and Jamie Hamilton sets a high standard for the second tier.
His manager, a long-term admirer, is eagerly looking forward to watching the busy striker cause much more mischief as Kilmarnock go for the title.
‘I was really pleased for him,’ said Wright. ‘Robbo has got bags of experience. His movement is good and he’s such an excellent finisher. He sets the tempo, he links it up well. Even though he’s not the biggest, he causes centrehalves problems.
‘He wins his fair share in the air and makes it awkward for them. He’s an intelligent footballer who I’ve always admired.’
Robinson, in his second spell with the club, missed the entirety of Kilmarnock’s Premier Sports Cup group campaign as he worked his way back to full fitness.
His patience was almost rewarded within a minute of his first Championship start.
He led the way as the visitors rushed to take advantage of any teething issues from Accies adjusting to new management as Stuart Taylor opted for a watching brief in the stand to begin with.
Robinson tested Ryan Fulton, who took a knock as Blair Alston darted in for a sniff of a rebound.
With No2 Guillaume Beuzelin constantly directing traffic from the touchline, Accies survived that early flurry to settle.
Killie keeper Zach Hemming was extended to reach right to a force away Josh Mullin’s fierce drive.
However, it was a missed opportunity early in the second half that left them at the mercy of the visiting side’s quality up top. Lewis Smith’s disguised cutback teed up Lewis Spence to take a shot in his stride as he arrived into the heart of the area but Hemming stopped with his legs.
Kilmarnock took full advantage on the hour. Brandon Haunstrup’s first-time delivery from the left dropped delightfully for the head of Robinson.
The striker would’ve had no chance against the height of Easton or Hamilton.
But he had peeled into space between the two Accies defenders to steer a header against the balance of Fulton and in.
David Templeton for Smith was the switch to spark a revival and to give frustrated forward Andy Ryan some help, but Kilmarnock were only buoyed by taking the lead. As their midfield stranglehold took hold, Wright’s men put the game out of reach.
Chris Burke was typically dogged to win back possession on the right and feed Liam Polworth.
The former Motherwell man left his old Lanarkshire rivals trailing then found Robinson in the box.
The striker resisted the temptation to let fly first time and that instinct was excellent.
As Kieran MacDonald and George Stanger advanced, Robinson jinked back inside and curled a right-foot finish past the unsighted Fulton.
There was no such deadly intent when Accies crafted a late chance, MacDonald missing with a free header from eight yards.
Taylor will officially start work tomorrow, and coach George Cairns said: ‘The boys are down and obviously feel like they have let people down. We now have a fresh start on Monday.
‘Stuart will be fantastic. He’s worked under a lot of brilliant managers. We are looking forward to tapping into his knowledge.’