Stuart Kettlewell: Post St Mirren

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell admitted his side’s exit from the Premier Sports Cup was a bitter one to take, following a dramatic 2-2 draw and penalty shootout defeat to St Mirren.

“I don’t think you could find two more painful ways to lose a game than what we’ve experienced in the last five days. A last-minute penalty against Celtic at the weekend and then tonight, going out on penalties. From that point of view, I feel heart-sorry for the players.

Football can change on the smallest margins, a bounce of the ball, a decision either way, and unfortunately it went against us. But I can’t fault the effort. Over 120 minutes both teams gave everything. If St Mirren had been the ones to lose, they’d be feeling exactly the same tonight. It was a proper cup tie: entertaining, full of quality, fight, and desire, with both sides desperate to reach Hampden. Someone was always going to come away heartbroken.”

Despite the disappointment, the manager was quick to praise his players for their resilience and character.

“What else can I ask of them? They gave everything. After Sunday’s setback, I knew it would be tough to lift ourselves, but what the players showed me on Monday morning in training gave me every confidence. I’ve no doubt we’ll pick ourselves up again, recognise where we’ve been strong, and keep pushing to improve.”

Kettlewell also took encouragement from the way Killie fought back into the contest.

“Of course we’d prefer to be in front and manage a game from that position, but the character to respond when we go behind has been there in abundance already this season. Hibs away, Celtic at the weekend, and twice again tonight, the players keep showing that fight. Our next step is to make sure we get ourselves in front and use that to our advantage.”