Quotes from the Press Room

The manager gave his reaction to the win over Kilmarnock

“The way we started the second half was excellent, Peter Pawlett hit the post after David Goodwillie hit the bar in the first half. We still had chances in the first half but we were just looking for a bit more impetus and to generate a bit more tempo that would cause them problems.

“We got that and it culminated in Peter scoring the goal and thankfully one goal was enough today but we passed up a few opportunities to make it a bit more comfortable and while it’s only one the opposition are always going to give it a go.

“Kilmarnock got the ball forward really quickly and it times caused us problems, they are quite a big side and at times we had to stand up to direct balls and set-plays into our box but I am delighted with the way we defended, delighted to get another clean sheet and to get the three points and now we move on.

“The players deserve a lot of credit because they could have easily thought after the missed chances that it wasn’t going to be our day but they all took responsibility to get the result.

“The festive period is a challenge as the games come quick and fast and we said at the start of this month that we were playing teams in and around us and we knew that if we could get positive results it would get us to where we wanted to be. I am delighted with the response of the players and what they are giving us at the minute.

“We are pleased to jump up another place but we are just looking to keep improving if we can and to keep the consistency of results that we are showing.

“Although we are keeping clean sheets we are still creating plenty of chances and we have found goals not too difficult to come by with this system.

The squad has been stretched a wee bit as it has been the same team over the last four or five games and I think they deserve a lot of credit for bringing that consistency that every team is striving for.

“At times Jonny Hayes lit the game up, McGinn and Pawlett had little flashes of brilliance too but I don’t think Ryan Jack put a foot wrong all game and he was outstanding. I think he was deservedly named man of the match.

“I don’t know what the crowd was today but at the right times they got behind us and I think they appreciated that we had to be dogged at times but we are glad to send our support home happy.“

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