Kilmarnock skipper insists high demands are helping to drive side forward

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Kyle Vassell says he has no problem calling out teammates - because he knows they’ll make sure he’s held to the high standards he demands from others.

The skipper played a starring role as they climbed into the top six for the first time this season on Wednesday night following a 2-1 win away to Hearts.

He outmuscled Frankie Kent in the lead up to Matty Kennedy’s leveller after Alan Forrest had opened the scoring just before the break and then slotted home the winner on 63 minutes to seal the vital three points.

But it was a moment when his side trailed that caught the eye of many as the 31-year-old launched a tirade at keeper Robby McCrorie and the defence after a poor clearance.

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That it came during a stoppage in play meant everyone could hear the striker’s roaring.

And he says being able to positively deal with criticism from teammates is a key factor in the side’s recent good form as they look to drive high standards at the club.

He said: “Sometimes you have to dig people out. People might say things about me but, believe it or not, I’m actually a nice guy.

“But when I’ve had enough I’ve had enough. I had a go at one of the lads in the Hearts game, it was deserved and shock-horror, after that his kicking was much better.

“Boys do it to me and too right if I miss chances, 100 per cent. If I’m not winning flick- ons and not at my best, then they’ll tell me – Danny Armstrong always does and so does Liam Donnelly when he plays.

“That’s part of the game, you have to be able to dig each other out as well as praise each other.

“I’m the first to praise boys as well. It’s a great dressing room but what you saw in the second half against Hearts, that is us.”

He added: “The manager is the most important, it’s him who everyone feeds off. On the pitch it’s more my role to bark orders but in the dressing room it’s about listening to the gaffer.

“He will see things so we trust what he says. If we do go behind, we never give up and there was anger in the dressing room the other night.

“We got more aggressive in the second half, were better in our press and it worked out.”

The striker has been subject to criticism from the stands himself having netted just once all season prior to the midweek trip to Tynecastle. He says he can deal with that and insists fans have every right to be critical.

He commented: “It was great to get the goal, I’ve been playing well so I wasn’t worried about not scoring.

“I don’t listen to noise, it’s more myself, so if there was stick then fair play, they’ve got the right.

“I’d be the first to say I’ve not been good enough in front of goal but outside the box I’ve been good this season, sometimes I have to be the unselfish one who makes runs. That has to come into it as well. But I will score goals and can score goals.

“It’s about being consistent now, getting the wins we need so when the new year comes, we’re in there.”

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