CAMMY SMITH

“We put a lot of hard work into the game so it was good for me personally to get the reward with the goal but more importantly we got the three points which was the main aim and it is another one ticked off.

“In the first half I felt we were in control of the game and we were enjoying ourselves. We actually started the second half quite well and then all of a sudden Slater has hit one from distance and scored with a good finish. We kept our composure, kept believing in what we were doing and Niall has produced a great cross which I have managed to get on the end off. He put it right on my head and thankfully I have managed to direct the ball in.

“When you hit the back of the net it is the best feeling you can have on a football pitch.

“I was delighted to see the ball go in but I was just as delighted when Scott saved that penalty in the last minute. I felt it was a good team performance and it is another very good three points.  I felt for periods we controlled the game, we passed it well and moved it around and got the ball into good areas. Maybe the thing we did not do was work the keeper enough. We always believed if we kept doing what we were doing that the goal would come and thankfully it did.

“When you concede a late penalty you do fear the worst and you suddenly think all that hard work will count for nothing but Scott has done well for us all season and he showed good concentration levels to pull the save off.

“I don’t mind the artificial surfaces. I trained on them a lot when I was younger coming through the AFC Youth Academy system. What does help them is some water on the pitch and we got that today with the rain. It was slicker and it makes it a good surface for touch and move and passing. It does suit the way we play.

“Between now and the end of the season we just need to concentrate on ourselves and not worry about what other teams are doing. There are still eighteen points to play for starting with the Dundee United game on Saturday.

“Hopefully my performance at Rugby Park, and my performances during the season will mean I am involved in some of these games and will still be involved in the manager’s plans before the end of the campaign. When you look at the squad we have at the moment with everyone fit it is frightening. On the bench against Kilmarnock we had Pete (Pawlett), Ryan (Jack), Robson, Goodwillie, Ash, Shankland and Jamie Langfield. It is a very strong bench and all these boys have an argument for playing.

“Every player knows now that you need to be training well, we need to be performing well when we do play otherwise you will not be spending long in the team because someone else is waiting to step in. That can only be good for the club. It keeps everyone on their toes.”