Jefferies hails two-goal Bryson

Jefferies says Killie could have scored more goals against Aberdeen

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies praised midfielder Craig Bryson whose double against Aberdeen helped Killie to their first win since Boxing Day.

"I thought the performance as well as the win was outstanding today," said the Ayrshire club's boss.

"Craig's whole game was terrific and if he keeps playing like that we've got a real player on our hands."

"It was a top perfromance by him and for me he was the best player on the pitch by a mile."

Interview: Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies

As well as scoring his first goals for the club, Bryson set up Frazer Wright to score before half-time as Killie saw off Aberdeen 3-1 at Rugby Park.

Jefferies said it was about time his side reaped some reward for their efforts of late.

"After playing well in the last couple of games it was just a case of trying to carry on in the same vein," he said.

"I think when you go on a long run of defeats you know a win's not far away."

"We could even have scored three or four more goals with some really good driving play in the second half.

"It's very encouraging for the rest of the season."

With the club 11th in the league the Kilmarnock boss now hopes to build on the result over the coming weeks to ensure top-flight survival.

"We know how importnat the run of games coming up is - starting with today," he said.

"The Gretna match on Wednesday is massive and we can virtually open up a gap that would be too difficult to claw back."

"But we're not just looking at Gretna - we need to target teams above us."

"We're capable with the group of players we've got now of going on to get the two or three victories we need to make sure we don't have any problems."