Kilmarnock comeback king Matty Kennedy confident club will kick on after late heroics
Comeback king Matty Kennedy insists the only way is up for Kilmarnock after their late heroics against Dundee.
The winger started the revival from 2-0 down when he netted in the 86th minute at Dens Park, before tapping home an injury-time winner after Bruce Anderson had bagged the equaliser in between.
It was a remarkable fightback from the visitors and one that secured their first league win of the campaign at the seventh time of asking.
That never-say-die attitude served them well last term as they finished fourth and secured European football and Kennedy is confident they can start climbing the table once they return from the international break.
The Rugby Park side aren’t in action this weekend with their next clash being in front of the Sky cameras at home to Rangers on October 20 (12pm kick-off).
Kennedy said: “It was a good victory. Obviously, it was our first three points of the season. I think we’ve been unlucky in a few of the games and we deserved more.
READ MORE: Kilmarnock boss heaps praise on bench as they play starring role in late comeback win over Dundee
“Every sub came on and had an impact on the game. I think the squad is brilliant and we need to push on this season – that was a good start.
“Before the last international break, we didn’t get a win and it felt longer. You just want to get back at it. It can give us confidence going into the next game.”
He added: “We’ve had a little bit of negativity from the outside but I feel we’ve played well in certain games and it’s just been that little bit of luck that hasn’t gone our way. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing and the wins will come.”
The former Aberdeen man got off the mark this season with his double, and confessed that’s an area of his game where he needs to contribute more, having found the net just three times in 45 appearances last term.
He said: “I’ve no idea what happened with the first goal. When I hit it, I was wandering back up the park saying ‘Vass, did you touch that?’.
“So I was buzzing when he said no. It was my first goal of the season. I want to try and get more than I did last season. For the second, it’s one of those ones that comes across and you think ‘please don’t miss this.’
“It was good - a last-minute goal, that’s what football is all about. You see the fans enjoying themselves and all of the boys jumping about, so it was good.”
The winner was set up by youngster Bobby Wales with the teenager playing a crucial role despite only coming off the bench in the 88th minute.
His first touch took him away from Billy Koumetio before he teed up Kennedy with a composed pass with the winger heaping praise on his young team-mate, saying: “A lot of people probably haven’t seen Bobby all that much, but we train with him every day.
“He’s bright around the place, he’s got a good turn of pace and I’m sure he’ll continue to do that this season.”