Neil McCann reacted angrily to a question from former BBC colleague Jonathan Sutherland after Kilmarnock's 3-2 win over Ayr United, which secured a place in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.
Kilmarnock came from behind twice at Rugby Park against Gary Naysmith's Championship side, with late goals from Michael Schjønning-Larsen and Nicky Clescenco sealing the victory. The win came after Kilmarnock started their Premiership campaign with two defeats, conceding nine goals.
On-air exchange over defensive record
Sutherland flagged that defensive record during an interview on Sportsound, prompting McCann to respond: "Are you just going to be negative all the time?" Sutherland replied: "It's a relevant question." The Kilmarnock boss fired back: "It's not a relevant question."
McCann then said: "Jonathan, I am going to tell you right now - this is a cup game tonight. I am only concentrating on us having a bit of character, a bit of grit - yes, we conceded two goals tonight with a bit of quality on the counter attack. We left ourselves open because we were trying to go and boss the game. We showed a lot of quality, and that quality was matched by our three finishes."
McCann praises character and comeback
Speaking post-match, McCann said: "I'm absolutely delighted. Cup football is all about getting through. I've been on the winning side in Cup finals and no one really cares how you get there. It's all about progressing. We can play better. But I don't think anyone can say we didn't deserve to win."
He added: "We are pushing the game; we are controlling the game. To have the guts and determination twice to come back and keep pushing for the winner, I have to credit the boys. We weren't settled on extra-time. I just always felt we'd get another chance."
McCann also praised Clescenco, who replaced Jamie Brandon late in the first half and scored the winner after seizing on a Harry Stone spill. "Nicky's finish is a touch of class," he said. "At that stage of the game he could've rushed it or smashed it and it could've been blocked. The awareness and ability to just lift it into the net was terrific."
Ayr took the lead after five minutes through Owen Stirton, and after Joe Hugill's leveller, Ross Taylor put them ahead again. McCann said: "You're giving teams a start early in the game, we were 1-0 down. A couple of minutes into the second half, you've given them another one and it just flattens the atmosphere. So it asks questions of the fans to be patient and I felt the majority were. They got their rewards."
