By Andy Coyle,Shamal George. Sns

Copyright stv

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell has full confidence in Kyle Magennis and his team-mates to bounce back quickly from their Premier Sports Cup pain.

Former St Mirren captain Magennis was denied by Buddies goalkeeper Shamal George as the Paisley side progressed to the semi-finals following a 5-3 shoot-out win in Friday’s quarter-final.

Magennis has suffered a series of major injury blows in his career and Kettlewell is sure the 27-year-old midfielder will have the mental strength to shake off the penalty miss.

“Whatever happens, they step forward, they show bravery to come and take the penalty,” he said. “I thought he showed a lot of confidence, I thought he struck the ball well. The goalkeeper has guessed the right side. That’s been the difference in the game.

“But Kyle’s had some ups and downs, obviously, with some injuries. We’re delighted to get him on the pitch. I thought he contributed when he came on and there was never any doubt and there’s certainly no blame attached to him. It’s a case of we win together, we lose together.

“He’s had a lot of blows in his career so he’ll be the guy that will be able to pick himself up from that, no doubt.”

Kettlewell admitted his side could not have suffered two more painful defeats in the space of a week after falling just short after twice fighting back to level in a 2-2 draw.

They also suffered last-gasp heartache in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Celtic when a controversial VAR handball decision allowed the Hoops to score deep in added time.

“I said it would be sore and difficult to pick yourself up after the game against Celtic. It’s going to be equally, if not more difficult, to do so now,” said Kettlewell, whose side travel to Tannadice to face Dundee United next Saturday.

“But what they showed me on Monday morning after the Celtic game, it gives me every confidence that we will do exactly that, pick ourselves up, realise where we’ve been good and realise where we need to keep forging forward to try and get better.

“We’ve had a couple of difficult moments so far in the infancy of the season. Hibs away springs to mind. Being behind against Celtic, being behind twice (against St Mirren), that reaction is there in spade loads from the players.”