Jubilant Derek McInnes heaped praise on his Kilmarnock side for ending a decade long exile from Hampden.
A Kyle Lafferty penalty was levelled by Glenn Middleton before Danny Armstrong headed home the winner to secure a 2-1 League Cup quarter-final triumph over Dundee United. McInnes believes landing a last four place at the national stadium can become the catalyst for the revival of a club which has been in the doldrums in recent seasons.
The Kilmarnock boss said: “We told the players to see the bigger picture and focus on getting to Hampden, We can’t see that for other teams. We have to get it ourselves. I want us to be a good cup team and we haven’t done enough of that as a club in the last ten years. There will be financial rewards and the feel good factor for the fans, but it also gives the players real focus.
“Everyone wants to be in that team for Hampden in January. Wins like that doesn’t do the players any harm. The semi-final will be a big moment for us and we wanted to make that step forward.
"United are a good side and have spent a bit of money putting the squad together, but we felt we could win this game. It would have been a sickener if we hadn’t taken this opportunity. I’m delighted: it wasn’t easy and we didn’t expect it to be.
"It was always going to be tight but we got off to a great start by applying pressure and getting the first goal. By going with two strikers up front, our best moments caused a bit of panic for them. Kyle tucked away the penalty but I’m so annoyed that we immediately gifted United an equaliser, which was ridiculous from us."
McInnes opted for a battering ram two man strike force of Lafferty and Christian Doidge and he admits the source of the winning goal wasn't in his pre-match planning.
He said: “We thought we could cause them problems with two traditional No.9s playing but I wasn’t expecting 5’ 4” Danny to score with his header but I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s scored six goals in ten starts for us this season and had a few assists as well.
“That was a big moment for us and I felt we had the answers to see the game out afterwards. This can be a catalyst for us in the league but I expect us to be a good cup team as well.”
Killie striker Kyle Lafferty is facing an SFA hearing over alleged sectarian comments and Mcinnes knows he could be without the hitman for a lengthy spell. He said: “We are expecting a punishment of some sorts but we will just take that as it comes.
“Unfortunately Christian Doidge has rolled his ankle too, so we will need to deal with that."
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