• Missed opportunity in the title race
  • Message to a furious fanbase after Killie loss
  • Confidence in leaders and Clement's squad

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How frustrating an afternoon was that?

I think the question doesn't even need asking, it is obvious. It's frustrating, disappointing. But yeah, we made our bed and we have to lay in it. We have to take responsibility for that, obviously. There's no need to say how frustrating it is, it is extremely frustrating.

Where do you think the game got away from you? 

I agree with that. I think you know beforehand that Kilmarnock is always a difficult place to come to. That's not supposed to serve as an excuse. They have a really good home record. That's for a reason, but you know that before. You know that when you go into the season, you know it's a tough place to play. And you have to earn the right to play here. And it's very simple, we didn't earn the right to play today. We were not aggressive enough in decisive moments. We didn't bring that edge that you need to bring to this place in order to force the game onto them. And in the end, we got punished. It feels a bit harsh, but I think they had the clearer chances over the 90 minutes. Like I said, we made that bed for ourselves and we have to lay in it. It's frustrating. I don't like saying that here, but you have to be clear about it.

Is the most disappointing thing when you have a chance to narrow the gap at the top of the table and you perform like that? 

You just said it yourself, it speaks for itself. There's actually not much that I can add. It's a missed opportunity, of course.

Are you one of these guys in the dressing room who needs to be a leader now and just try and show the new guys in the team that the standards that need to be set here? 

 Definitely. You try to so this every game, every training session. And obviously, there's new players, yes. Again, not an excuse. One might take a bit more time than the other. It also has to do with game time because you need to get used to certain things. But at the same time, you step into an environment that is not giving you a lot of time. So you have to adapt fast and know what's coming. It's not always easy to handle, I know that and I understand. But that's just what this place is like and you have to live up to their expectations. And then, like I said, I think the supporters are entitled to their frustration.

It can be eye-opening for new people to come out to this club? Because as much as it can be a great place when things are going well, it can be a tough time when things aren't going well?

 Yes, and I'm not saying... Like I said, I give that to the supporters. They really give their all to support us everywhere, near and far. But it comes with something. You can't just take that for granted. I'm not saying anyone does. But you have to know that if you don't deliver, it can be uncomfortable. And you have to try to live up to their expectations as much as you can. It's not always reasonable what you then receive. I'm not for abuse of any sorts. But the criticism that comes up after a day like this, I think you have to face it.

Is that quite tough to experience at the end, when the players are going over to applaud the supporters? 

For me personally, and I can only speak for myself, I've been in many situations, worse situations than that, a lot worse. And like I said, you have to understand them. You have to understand what this club stands for, the history of the club. If you sign for this club, you have to know that there's a lot of expectation. And if you don't live up to that expectation, there might be really uncomfortable moments. And like I said, you won't always think it's reasonable, but you have to understand it. And you just have to get on with it, that's what I'm trying to say.

Do you see enough leaders in that dressing room that can cope with a day like today and bounce back from it? And guys that have got the mindset, do you see that in the team? 

Definitely, definitely. I think we've shown that in this season already as well, but obviously there's not much ammunition I have right now after a game like today.

What's your message to those fans who have real concern about whether there are players in that squad who can live up to those expectations? 

That's their right to question things. Like I said, they are the heartbeat of the club, and I think it's only right that they are there to question, but at the same time, if you do see the leaders on the pitch and in the team, and if you do see change, then be there. But I don't think I have to tell them anything, because they know that and they know what to do as well.

Do you believe that this is a team that can still piece together a sequence of winning results and win back that confidence? 

We were until Lyon, had a sequence, if you want to call it that.  Won three out of four, clean sheets as well, and after Lyon we beat St Johnstone. So it's not that we don't know how to play football or play games anymore, but like I said, in a game like today that maybe is a bit special, you have to make sure that you're there, and today we were not there enough, and that's why in the end we got punished.