LEE CLARK’S dramatic turnover of personnel at Kilmarnock has been one of Scottish football's stories of the summer, with supporters rushing online to learn as much as they can about the 11 new signings.
Most were no doubt intrigued by Souleymane Coulibaly in particular, given his interesting journey which has taken him from Italy to Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, back to Italy and then latterly Peterborough United.
The 21-year-old Ivorian was once compared to Didier Drogba after scoring nine goals for his country at the Under-17 World Cup but has never really lived up to that hype.
It is early, of course, but Coulibaly gave the Kilmarnock fans an indication of his quality with a lively performance, a cheeky back-heel finish and spectacular back-flip celebration. He seemed to thrive on being paired with Josh Magennis in the second half of a tight contest with Barry Ferguson’s League Two side and he put them on the road to victory with his first goal for the Rugby Park side.
Now Coulibaly has his sights set on transforming Killie, who have been embroiled in relegation scraps in recent seasons, into a top-six side.
"I enjoyed playing with Josh Magennis, he did very well when he came on," said Coulibaly. "Saturday was just the first game in our partnership. I think we can develop a partnership and it would be good for the team.
"I hope I can score 15 goals. Maybe if I score every week I might have to raise that though!
"I will do my best for this team. I know it will be difficult for us, but perhaps we can finish in the top six. It will be tough but we can do it.
"When the chance came to sign for Kilmarnock, I said yes. Sometimes you just have to go to a place where you feel wanted. That was my main reason. And on Saturday you saw as well that the fans made me feel wanted.
"The manager made me feel wanted too. He has given me the freedom to play football. I'm very happy with my goal, it was an important one for the team. We didn't play that well, but the important thing was the three points.
“It was great to score with a back heel. It was the only thing I could do because I was so close to the goal. But every goal you score is good.
"My celebrations were for the fans. I'm here because of them and I play for them. I will do a backflip for them every time I score. It's not so good for the doctors, but good for the fans! Our fans travelled in numbers from Kilmarnock so it was nice to repay them.”
It might have been a different outcome had Clyde not squandered a terrific chance to go ahead in the game in 61 minutes when Will Boyle handled Dylan Easton’s shot and John Beaton booked the defender and awarded a penalty.
Scott Linton’s effort from the spot was so weak that Jamie MacDonald had all the time in the world to save it with ease.
Boyle, on loan from Huddersfield, made amends for that transgression when he powered a downward header past John Gibson for a second Kilmarnock goal, connecting with Jordan Jones’ corner.
Jamie Watson volleyed home a consolation for the League Two side, having been picked out by Easton, the game’s best performer, with three minutes remaining. “The league is our bread and butter," said Ferguson. "We need to move up this season.”
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