BLAIR ALSTON has never doubted whether he’s good enough to play in the top-flight – even if he’s faced challenges in his career.
The Kilmarnock midfielder is gearing up for a campaign back in the Scottish Premiership after netting the decisive goal to see the Rugby Park side promoted last season.
And while Alston reckons he has a point to prove on his return to the top-flight, he’s not in the least apprehensive about having what it takes to compete at that level.
Alston has previous experience in the top-flight with St Johnstone and Hamilton if there was any need for reassurance – but the creative midfielder, who returned to Falkirk before his move to Kilmarnock, knows himself both he and Derek McInnes’ squad are ready for the step-up.
"I've always felt I was good enough to play in the Premiership,” explained the 30-year-old.
"At times, my career has probably not gone the way I wanted but I am looking forward to the challenge again. It's probably been a mixture of things. At times, I haven't played as well as I know I can.
"Ultimately, your career is down to yourself. It's not about picking two or three people to blame, it's about what you do. If I had played well enough at times, I know I would have played there longer.
"I was probably unlucky with the way the season finished at Hamilton and Covid was starting.
"I didn't have a contract for the new season, so it was about getting myself back to where I felt I should be playing. This club gave me the platform to do that and I have that chance this year.
"I have played in the Premiership for a few years and I feel like I can make my mark at that level.
"I also feel this time can put our mark on the league too.
“I think you ways have a point to prove.
“It’s about playing against players who have been [laying at that level for a while or are capable of doing that. You need to show you are capable of doing that was well.
“I certainly feel as though it will be difficult but it’s not something fear – playing at that level.
“It’s about putting my mark on the team and making sure I’m, in more often than not and then trying to deliver on a Saturday.”
Alston has more than 250 senior appearances to his name in his career to date, it’s a very respectable total but one he reckons could’ve been higher and is determined to improve upon.
And there’s no doubting Alston’s commitment to extending his career – especially not after playing his way back into the Scottish Premiership.
“You never know how your career is going to pan out,” he said.
“I played a lot of games when I was young and then maybe not as many as I would have liked.
“But I still feel as if I’ve played a lot of games of football.
“I certainly feel as if I’ve got many years to go. I feel fit and like I can get about the pitch. I’m certainly not looking to retire any time soon. It’s nice to be back in the top-flight and I want too play as many games as I can.”
While Alston already has his own goals and ambitions he’s working towards back in the top-flight, he’s certain Kilmarnock won’t be there to make up the numbers.
Hailing the quality and experience in the dressing room both as players and people, he explained: “I think we have got a group of boys here who have played a lot of games and a lot of games at a good level. That is going to help us next year because it is going to be tough, we know it is going to be tough. “But we have got boys who have done it at different clubs and we have got boys who have done it here.
“You need characters, big personalities, different types of people. You need leaders on the pitch, you need players who lead by example. I think we have got that in abundance.”
