Kilmarnock defender Lewis Mayo has backed David Watson to continue his recent goalscoring streak as the Rugby Park side look to consolidate their top six status prior to the winter break.
The weekend win over St Johnstone made it ten points out of 12 across their last four games for Derek McInnes’ side, a run of form that has elevated them into fourth spot in the Scottish Premiership.
Watson, an 18-year-old product of the club’s youth academy, netted his first senior Rugby Park goal – his other strikes this term have come on the road – with a beautiful half-volley against St Johnstone on Saturday.
It is the maturity of the teenager, who was urged to add goals to his game by McInnes, on and off the field that has impressed Mayo.
“He could have his own collection [of goals of the season],” said Mayo. “Since he has come in, he has been excellent and he is improving every week. He is getting better from playing games and he is still so young.
“But he is adding goals now and there is no limit as to how far he can go. You see that maturity from him away from the games and when he is away from the pitch. He handles himself really well and he has come into this first-team environment and he is a young boy but you wouldn’t think that.
“That goal isn’t something you work on, that is just a moment of magic from him.”
The mince pies and mulled wine have been left to others to enjoy as Kilmarnock prepare for tomorrow night’s game against St Mirren.
The Ayrshire side have moved above the Paisley side although a win for Stephen Robinson’s side would allow them to leapfrog Kilmarnock.
“We have spoken about that [Christmas] but we knew that the games are coming thick and fast and we need to look after ourselves because we have some opportunity now to put a marker down,” said Mayo.
“Where we are is a good reference. There have been games that we have won that people did not expect us to but our challenge now is maintaining that. It is not enough to do it for half a season and then full off and everyone in that dressing room will keep pushing one another to do that.”
And Mayo believes that the belief that has come on the back of recent results ensures that there is no apprehension about Kilmarnock, regardless of opposition.
“We know that we can go and blow teams away,” he said. “Even looking back to that second-half against Celtic, there is no reason to fear anyone when we play to our own levels.
“I think we would like it to have been calmer [against St Johnstone] and we would like to have put the game to bed. In the first 20 minutes we were so good that we had chances to go 3-0 or 4-0 ahead. It was disappointing not but the most important thing is the result and that we had the calmness and experience to manage that game at the end. “We need to keep taking confidence, especially that first half an hour.
“Not to look too far ahead but it [St Mirren game] is a good opportunity to put a bit of distance between us and put a marker down. At the same time it is about being sensible and taking it one game at a time.
“I do think we have improved a lot away from home this season although I am not sure we have had the rewards we have deserved.”
