Killie stand up to pressure and get fans back onside

KILMARNOCK manager Tommy Wright praised the character of his side as they handled the pressure of a disgruntled Rugby Park faithful to pick up three vital points and close the gap on Championship leaders Inverness Caley Thistle.

The home support let Wright’s charges know in no uncertain terms that they were unhappy with their first-half display as they booed them off the pitch at half-time.

Oli Shaw’s early opener for Killie was quickly cancelled out by Jamie Hamilton as Accies went on to dominate the rest of the half.

The visitors had several chances to take the lead after the interval and only some fine saves from home goalkeeper Zach Hemmings prevented that from happening before substitute Dan Armstrong’s cross-come-shot crept in to claim the three points for the hosts.

Wright insisted his players knew they had to stand up and be counted to get their fans back onside — and did so as they were cheered off after clinching the points.

‘I’d be first to admit we didn’t play well and because we didn’t play well we gave the fans the chance to vent their feelings,’ said Wright.

‘That then creates an atmosphere where the players have to learn to do better in. The message to the players was: “Deal with it, do better”. That’s all we have to do.

‘This is a difficult place to play and they soon let you know if you’re not playing well. I’ve no problem with that. We’ve just got to do better and find a way to make sure the fans are onside for 90 minutes.

‘Going 2-1 up got the crowd behind us and we saw it out comfortably. I believe in their ability and sometimes at home they get a bit of doubt when the crowd have a go, but I’ve never doubted their character, which was excellent, and got us the result.”

Kilmarnock broke the deadlock after five minutes as Blair Alston threaded a through ball which dissected the Hamilton defence and Shaw kept his composure as he went through on Ryan Fulton’s goal and slotted past the keeper.

Their lead, however, was cancelled out within three minutes as Hamilton rose above the home defence to glance home a header from a Josh Mullin corner.

Killie reclaimed the lead after 74 minutes through Armstrong. The substitute, who had replaced Chris Burke five minutes previously, cut on to his left foot on the right flank and whipped a cross-come-shot into the penalty area that evaded everyone and crept in at the far post.

Accies boss Stuart Taylor said: ‘We are very disappointed because I thought we were the better side. We created chances, had shots at goal and dominated possession.’

Taylor also admitted he was in the dark over a potential takeover of the Lanarkshire club, saying: ‘I don’t know anything about it.’