Connolly plans to inflict another wound on Bhoys
MARK CONNOLLY would ideally love a story of some bravery to accompany any requirement for a head bandage to be worn into battle with Celtic tomorrow night.
Instead, the burly Irishman can only confess the nasty forehead gash that needed stitches in between festive fixtures was sustained because he’s scared to watch his team take penalties.
Connolly collided with John McGinn during a wild win at St Mirren for Kilmarnock, the accidental clash taking place as he removed hands from eyes and wheeled away to celebrate a successful spotkick he’d refused to witness.
However, the defender says his football fears do not extend to being apprehensive over the threat posed by the visiting Scottish champions.
‘It’s unusual to be playing Celtic with them maybe needing to win to get back up on top of the league at this time of year,’ noted Connolly. ‘It’s going to be a tricky game but we can get ourselves ready to have an upset on the cards. We totally take encouragement from the points Celtic have been dropping.
‘Obviously I’m new to the league, I’ve only come up this year and don’t fear anyone. It’s different if you’ve been in the league and know the players and teams, whereas I come with an open mind.
‘OK, we’ve been beaten by Celtic already in the league and Rangers in the Scottish Cup. But I don’t fear playing them and I don’t think anyone else should.
‘At Parkhead, we started quite well, then (Manuel) Pascali got sent off. We defended well with 10 and were a bit unlucky. If we hadn’t had a man sent off, I reckon that would have been a different story.’
A native of Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, many family and friends of Connolly are Celtic fans but he has their unequivocal support to hand Ronny Deila’s side another title setback tomorrow.
The 23-year-old was given the captaincy by Allan Johnston for Thursday’s 2-1 over St Mirren in Paisley and, should he retain the role, then his sole aim will be to lead Killie to a result that can enhance their top-half ambitions.
Connolly said: ‘I wonder if we were doing so well earlier in the season that we took our foot off the gas a little.
‘Top six can still happen. When I first spoke to the manager, he told me that we had a top-six aim.
‘Hopefully we can keep the results going and push up the table.’