Analysis, Page 7
The Northern Irishman, who took over from Mixu Paatelainen in March, had endured an elusive search for a maiden victory but his side removed any lingering doubts in emphatic fashion with an impressive 4-1 over Hibernian.
A double from Paul Heffernan, a Paul Hanlon own goal and a sublime James Dayton free kick secured Kilmarnock’s first win since a 3-1 victory over Motherwell on March 19. Garry O’Connor replied for the Edinburgh side.
However, it was the stylish manner of Kilmarnock’s performance that most pleased Shiels and he vowed to allow his players to express themselves, regardless of results.
“I didn’t win the match, the team won it and that’s the way we should reflect on it,” said Shiels. “It’s a great relief for me and we’ve produced a good performance where people have been allowed to express themselves. That can happen if the team has personality.
“It’s Kilmarnock’s first win of the season, we’re undefeated after three games and I’m pleased we’re moving in the right direction. We’ve only been in the rebuild process for six weeks. We have reinvented the team and it’s testament to the work put in by the backroom staff.
“I don’t think we’ve anything to prove to anyone because one of the greatest qualities a person can have is persistence. The greatest feeling for me today was we made a mistake which cost us a goal by trying to play out, as we did against Blackburn Rovers last week, but we persisted.
“The players still had the courage to take the ball everywhere on the pitch. If you look at our first goal, the critics will ask how we can try to play out when we conceded our equaliser in that manner, but our first goal was a result of us playing out from the back.
“That’s what we’re about and I say to the players to be brave and take the ball, it doesn’t matter who it’s against. That’s our way, and that’s the way we’ll continue to play.”
Dayton was the key man for Kilmarnock and Shiels hailed the Englishman’s courage after fighting back from an horrific knee injury last season.
“James has worked really hard on his rehabilitation,” said Shiels. “That has strengthened his character and ability to deal with adverse situations. I love to see people like that being successful.
“I’ve got nothing but praise and admiration for him. He is a player who will entertain, he’ll try things and is brave enough to take the ball. I’m pleased for him.”
Colin Calderwood, the Hibs manager, meanwhile, was far from enamoured with his team’s dire display. After competing well for the first half-hour, Hibs fell away badly in the second half and were lucky to avoid a heavier defeat. His side have claimed just three points from nine.
“You take your medicine and try to learn from a defeat like that,” he said. “We looked as though we could concede at any point. The third goal was a step too far and what we produced was not good enough. But I’m not worried, we will just work harder.”
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