Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke insists his side’s points return from a demanding run of fixtures proves that there is plenty of character in the squad.
The Ayrshire side climbed out of the Premiership relegation zone on Sunday as the former West Brom and Reading manager celebrated his first win in charge with a 2-1 victory over Hearts at Murrayfield.
Ex-Scotland defender Clarke has faced a baptism of fire in his first four matches after replacing Lee McCulloch, but has been hugely encouraged by what he has seen.
Kilmarnock came from behind to earn a share of the spoils at both Rangers and Celtic, while last Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat flattered Hibs.
Ahead of a trip to basement side Dundee after the international break, Clarke admits he has been delighted with the response from the players.
He said: “I think we’ve seen that there is a bit of character in this team; we went behind at Ibrox and got a point, we went behind at Celtic Park and got a point and we got pegged back against Hearts it would have been easy to fold, especially on the back of difficult and physical game against Hibs but the lads showed their character and dug in and got the winner.
“I think overall, if you look at the whole 90 minutes we deserved to win the game.”
Clarke, who saw Kris Boyd and Adam Frizzell strikes cancel out Isma Goncalves’ equaliser, added: “If I had one criticism of them, we probably tried to kill the game and slow the game too early in the second half.
“We’re a better team when we play with that energy and spark in our play. Once we got that back we got back on top.”
Clarke, meanwhile, insists both he and the players deserve a break following a exhausting run of games.
He added: “I think it’s come at a good time for us. We’ve had a difficult run of matches, hard games and hard places to go.
“It’s time to regroup and the boys will get a couple of days' well earned rest and the manager will get that as well.
“For the first time since I came back up I’ll get a chance to go south and see my family, catch up with them and catch up with my grandson.
“I’m looking forward to a restful couple of days and then it’s back to work.”
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