Much has been said about Steve Clarke recently in the press and on social media. All extremely positive things about his progress at our club. I personally think this season although it hasn’t concluded yet has been my favourite of my lifetime. We had some good times under Jeffries and a great season under Mixu. A cup win against all odds with Shiels. What Steve Clarke has done for the club after a few years of disillusion is nothing short of remarkable.
I have to be totally honest I said to my dad at the start of season I’d take tenth place I really thought we would be fighting relegation once again. That Ayr United game at Somerset in the pissing rain where we were totally out battled and ran by them was a real low point. Followed up by no wins in 8 games under McCulloch really tested a lot of fans patience. Goals becoming hard to find and players not looking particularly interested.
Jig eventually emptied left a week or two of uncertainty a lot of people suggesting Falkirk job was a better opportunity than killie at that moment. We were propping up the bottom of the table and really looking perilous. Under Paul McDonald at Partick Thistle away started the revival. He brought in Broadfoot/Power and Boyd with Jones playing the ten role. A big following and the presence of incoming Clarke gave us that bit of encouragement we needed. Boyd scored his first goal in 10 games with a rather awkward celebration and then young Frizzell produced a wonder strike to give us the first three points. Clarke came in and by all accounts simplified things.
We would go to Rangers and be sitting 1-0 down with a rangers penalty in 92nd minute to bury us. MacDonald saves, roles the ball out down left worked into Power and out to SOD who beats his man and finds Burke at back post with a 93rd minute equaliser GOALLLL sending the Killie supporters into absolute bedlam. That was the turning point for me in this incredible season. I was unfortunately working and watched second half on a stream from Facebook in my living room when I got in. I haven’t celebrated a goal like that in a while, phone thrown to fuck and going mental in my living room as girlfriend watched on disgusted.
That buzz would inspire me to make my first trip to Parkhead on the Saturday glowing from the midweek equaliser. 26£ a head Killie took a good support up. Leigh Griffiths would latch onto a long ball from Kouassi to put Celtic ahead just before the break. McCulloch having lost 5-0 at Parkhead the month earlier thankfully punted. Clarke had Jones in the ten position again. Jones picked up some pace and ran and shot from twenty yards off the post. O’Donnell collected. Jones screaming for it plays one two with Rory and slips it past Gordon it’s 1-1. Bedlam again my jeans ripped down the knee as I fall into row behind celebrating. That week would be defining on our season.
A humbling from Aberdeen would follow at home and a 3-0 loss to Hibs despite hitting post about 4 times. Wins started to come quick a win at St Johnstone a pumping of Partick then Motherwell then a come back again against the huns. Through with last minute penalty against county in the cup. Hibs away a draw. Winter break to regroup and player and manager of month which would follow again in month to come. Celtic come to town and Mulumbu runs riot. Brora sent packing and then another win against County. Motherwell away SOD screamer. Dundee down to ten men and win 3-2 with Iain Wilson becoming Lionel Messi. Come back from 2-0 down against Hibs to draw and should have won. Draw away at Aberdeen and Hearts. Beating St Johnstone midweek a master class from JJ.
Leads us to Ibrox on Saturday. A confident Killie side go up do a job on The Rangers. The fans delirious and players and Alex Dyer giving it laldy. The transformation of our clubs. Belief, organisation, resilience, confidence and most importantly togetherness. The board in Bowie has chosen the dearer option after cheap Clarke, Jig and Locke. Clarke without saying anything much has got all fans buzzing for games and backing the club. The 7,500 who turned out to watch us fall just short on Tuesday last week shows the change. Incredible how we are secured top six. Standards are raised for everyone involved with club now. Let’s go after Hibs and see if we can make this season even more memorable with a European place. 8 games remain let’s make them count.
Forever and Ever
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