Johnson admits Kilmarnock need to develop tough streak

Their Scottish Communities League Cup success continued their impressive record against the top teams in Scotland this season.

The Ayrshiremen held Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, have beaten Rangers home and away, and are unbeaten against Hearts and third-placed Motherwell, who visit Rugby Park this afternoon. But inconsistency leaves them with too much ground to make up on the top six before the split – they sit eight points behind Hearts with three games left.

Manager Kenny Shiels feels they have been bullied on occasions and struggled on poor pitches and Johnson admits their aim for the final weeks of the season is to adapt to such challenges.

“The gaffer has tried to build a side to play the perfect game and it’s not easy to play that against all the sides, and that’s whatever league and whatever country you are in,” the former Bristol City midfielder said. “We are almost better off playing against the sides who get the ball down and play in front of us. Then when we nick it, we’ve got good intricate footballers that can hurt people.

“Looking on to next season, that’s something we have to adjust to, the way we deal with games on a bobbly pitch and against teams fighting for their lives. We have to build for next season in terms of the mentality and the way we want to play.”

Johnson is still revelling in the Hampden triumph though with Kilmarnock club captain Manuel Pascali set to parade the trophy at Rugby Park today.

“It was a fantastic win for the club and I’m really proud of what we achieved,” Johnson said. “I’ve won a few trophies in my career but that’s probably the best feeling, going into it as such underdogs.”

Johnson played a crucial role in Dieter van Tornhout’s Hampden winner with a burst into the box and perfect crossing setting up the Belgian to head home. “I made the missus sit through it about 1,000 times,” the 30-year-old said. “It was a great move and I was really pleased I could play a part in the goal.”