Derek McInnes believes mannequin skilled Danny Armstrong can comply with an identical pathway to success as his outdated Aberdeen cost Jonny Hayes.
The Kilmarnock boss is thrilled on the affect being made by his blossoming 25-year-old going into in the present day’s conflict with Ross County.
Armstrong has bagged six objectives already this season along with his newest a midweek winner in opposition to Dundee United to ship Killie again to Hampden for the primary time in a decade for January’s Premier Sports activities Cup semi-final in opposition to Celtic. McInnes desires the winger to stick with it and feels there are similarities with Hayes by way of the attacker’s progress at this stage of his profession.
The boss defined: “I spoke to Danny just a few weeks again and I discussed to him that we bought Jonny at Aberdeen on the similar age. He most likely had an eventful first yr. I attempted to take him to St Johnstone from Inverness, however he went to Aberdeen. Then we went in and he had a disappointing marketing campaign. However I believed at the moment Jonny perhaps didn’t fairly have, and I’m positive he’ll agree, the main focus as he might mild a sport up and then you definitely wouldn’t see him once more for half-hour. Then he’d go once more.
Jonny finally turned so necessary to us and have become an Eire worldwide. He was in a position to go and go repeatedly. He was relentless. Danny has actually impressed everybody since pre-season. He was dissatisfied to not play extra of a component final season, however that was extra all the way down to the form. We went with three in the course of the park and the system went in opposition to Danny at occasions.
I noticed Danny as a large proper participant, however what he has completed this season is discover a strategy to play wherever the system we now have deployed. He has proven me he has much more strings to his bow and behind all of it is an incredible work ethic. It's nice to see him getting recognition as a result of he has at all times been good across the place. He couldn’t have celebrated anymore once we scored a aim final season even when he was dissatisfied at not at all times enjoying. He is a good reference for anyone who finds themselves out of the facet that by sheer exhausting work and perception you may develop into a key participant.
"He has completed precisely that with six objectives and some assists in 12 begins. These are nice numbers and what we're on the lookout for. If he can proceed that, he could have a hell of a season. From day one at pre-season he has seemed like somebody who desires to play their profession within the Premiership. He's at a very good age and he has his greatest years forward of him. I do know managers say this on a regular basis, however he's the very best boy you possibly can work with.
He's so bubbly however he's greater than only a good team-mate for us now. He is an effective participant for us as properly. Armstrong is amongst a number of gamers who might be out of contract on the finish of the season and McInnes continued: “I’ve solely bought two underneath contract. Rory McKenzie and Kerr McInroy. I've mentioned many occasions there are alternatives for gamers to go and present they will carry out this season and be key gamers.
"We are going to deal with that as we go alongside within the season and really feel assured we now have loads of good gamers who can fulfil the demand.”
Armstrong is ready for a key function once more in the present day as Killie purpose to win a key conflict. McInnes mentioned: “There’s a case to be made that that is an important sport for us this season. Solely Celtic have overwhelmed us right here and outcomes like the opposite evening give us confidence. However, we're going to be with out key gamers so it would want an enormous effort to complete off what has been a very good week to date.”