James Dayton is a player of contradictions.
He is capable of the kind of emphatic, sweeping strike that brought him a goal against Dundee United last weekend, but also the careless play and fickleness that causes his manager a dilemma. Kenny Shiels always has to deliberate over the inclusion of the winger in his Kilmarnock side, however much he values Dayton's individuality.
Despite his goal against United – a searing effort from 25 yards – Dayton is not guaranteed to start at Celtic Park today. Shiels acknowledges that the player is just as likely to give the ball away, and he will take into account the weather conditions, how Celtic might line-up, and even the referee, before deciding on his team.
The Kilmarnock manager will also be influenced by his concern that Dayton is vulnerable to being branded a diver. Shiels is convinced that the winger's style of play, in combination with the scrutiny and decision-making process of the Scottish Football Association's fast-track tribunal, will inevitably end up involving Dayton.
"He is so light it's only a matter of time before someone makes a decision that he has dived," Shiels says. "When James goes past you, because he is so quick it lends itself to one little nudge and he goes over. It is not a dive. Only people who've played the game will know that when a player is off balance but going at full speed, he can't stop himself going to ground. There is a distinct difference between [that and diving] in my eyes, because I've played football, but people who haven't are making those decisions incorrectly."
Sone Aluko has also questioned why Vincent Lunny, the SFA's compliance officer, does not come from a football background. The Rangers winger protests his innocence, despite being banned for two games for diving to earn a penalty against Dunfermline Athletic three weeks ago. Shiels believes that Dayton, a similar type of player, is in danger of being unfairly treated by the new disciplinary system.
"He is very much at risk," the Kilmarnock manager added. "He goes over easily – there is a distinct difference. He is nine stone, so if he takes the ball past a 14-stone centre-half or left-back and his stride is so quick, then one little touch and he goes over, it is not a dive, it's just a natural movement of the body. It happens in training all the time because of the way he plays."
Shiels will not go so far as describing Dayton as a luxury player, but he does concede he is the kind of talent that has to be accommodated. There might not be room for him at Celtic Park today, but the player himself is adamant Kilmarnock can take more points off the Old Firm this season. They defeated Rangers at Rugby Park earlier in the season, and were leading Celtic 3-0 last October, only for Neil Lennon's side to fight back to 3-3. That now seems a pivotal moment in the season for the Celtic manager, but for Kilmarnock, too, it was confirmation of their ability but also their susceptibility.
"We've beaten the Old Firm once, so hopefully we can cause another upset," Dayton said. "There's a positive vibe among the boys, we're on a half-decent run. When you see the Old Firm drop points, it does give you confidence you can go to places like Ibrox and Parkhead and take points."
Dayton's contract runs to the end of the season, but Kilmarnock have the option to extend it by another year. He was a regular starter at the beginning of the campaign, but has become more peripheral following a change of shape and tactics, but he still believes he can be a prominent figure at Rugby Park.
"I don't want to be known as an impact player," he says. "Hopefully, [Shiels] gives me a run in the team. It's up to me to prove to him I can play, that I do work hard for the team and can keep scoring the types of goals I have."
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