Johnston wants results
Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston has told his players they have to start turning performances into victories ahead of their League Cup clash with Hamilton.
Killie followed two draws in games they had largely controlled with a 2-1 home defeat by Hibernian on Saturday, despite being deservedly ahead at half-time.
Liam Craig twice capitalised on poor defending to leave Killie still looking for their first victory under Johnston ahead of the second-round clash at Rugby Park.
Johnston said: "Obviously we were disappointed but we can take a lot of confidence from the display.
"The negative part is losing goals and getting beaten. The goals we did lose were really soft and we have got to improve on that. We have got to be a bit more clinical in the final third.
"It's important we start getting wins. It's not good enough just having nice performances. You have got to turn them into results."
Alex Neil's Hamilton have had no problems getting wins as they sit on nine points after three games in the Championship.
Johnston said: "They are playing with a lot of confidence just now. They are top of the Championship for a good reason - they are playing good football, good attacking, scoring a lot of goals. We know it's going to be a really hard game.
"They have got a lot of good players. I saw them a few weeks ago against Raith Rovers. They are really good in the middle of the park, play good football.
"They are really dangerous up front with the young boy (James) Keatings who was at Celtic. So we know how much of a threat it's going to be.
"Hamilton have a good philosophy, the way they try to pass the ball. They have just continued that by bringing Alex in, and it's paying off for them."
Johnston hopes to have an unchanged squad. Some players reported knocks after Saturday's defeat but they are expected to shake them off.
Striker Kris Boyd will miss the game as he completes his two-match ban.
Championship leaders Hamilton head to Killie in buoyant mood after three consecutive wins, but player/manager Alex Neil is an injury doubt after sustaining a knock in Saturday's 2-0 success over Queen of the South.
Jonny Routledge's knee injury definitely keeps him out and Louis Longride is still not able to return after a foot problem with Mickael Antoine-Curier not yet available due to a delay in international clearance.
Neil said: "I will undergo a fitness test close to kick-off and pick the starting XI after that. We are travelling to Kilmarnock pleased with how our season is going, although we recognise that this is a step up."
Source: PA
