Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell hailed the professionalism of Brad Lyons after his captain struck a cup winner against Dundee United after returning from the birth of his son.
Lyons missed last weekend’s draw with Hibernian to be with his newborn son in hospital and his training was restricted this week, but with medical issues clearing up, the midfielder was back in the starting line-up at Rugby Park.
The Northern Ireland international volleyed a 69th-minute strike from a set-piece move to set up a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against St Mirren thanks to a 2-1 victory.
Kettlewell said: “Brad’s had a turbulent four or five days but he’s come back in really, really focused to try and have an impact on the game, which he has done, he’s had a big say on it.
“That probably makes it feel all the bit sweeter for him and his family, just to be able to sit in the house and enjoy the win but also the new arrival as well.
“So we’re delighted for him as a football club but Brad’s always known that as soon as the baby’s here safe, that he moves on to his job, and credit to him, he’s been first class in that.”
Kettlewell felt his side only played in “fits and starts” but they made a flying start to the game when Ben Brannan’s long diagonal ball played in Marcus Dackers to open the scoring.
“It’s just brilliant vision,” Kettlewell said of the 18-year-old’s assist. “You talk about being tactical geniuses and all the rest of it, it’s nothing to do with that, it’s about your players understanding what you’ve looked at through the week and trying to identify a situation that will materialise, and he has done.
“But what’s especially pleasing for me as such a young player in the infancy of his career is to identify it and execute it. He’s got such a calm, composed demeanour to him. You just feel as if he’s on top of his emotions all the time and that’s a brilliant place to be for a young player, as well as being a good player.”
Dackers had been a threat even before his opener and Kettlewell was delighted with the 6ft 7in striker’s all-round play.
“We are working hard for him to be good with his movements, be good with his feet, to be able to link the play really well, to be a threat down the side, which he is for his goal,” said Kettlewell, who lost striker Djenairo Daniels to a shoulder problem.
“So it’s just trying to help him become that complete striker. He has obvious advantages, which we played to at times, but it’s making sure that he’s able to do the other aspects of the game which I thought he was outstanding at.”
United manager Jim Goodwin was frustrated with the manner of the goals conceded after seeing set-pieces cost his side against Hearts and Rapid Vienna in the previous seven days.
“The first one, it’s just really poor shape behind the ball, distances in the back line far too big,” said Goodwin, who lost striker Max Watters to a hamstring injury. “One big 60-70 yard diagonal ball over the top and it’s a one-on-one.
“And then the second goal, it feels like it’s talking about last week all over again. Big loopy ball into the box, unopposed header at the back post and then we’re slow to react to the second ball. That’s what’s undone us.
“The goals that we’re conceding at the moment are so avoidable.”
