BRFC TV: Coughlin praises young ‘Gers players

Berwick boss John Coughlin has revealed that he believes his younger players will learn from last night’s 3-2 loss against Kilmarnock.

“I was happy with large parts of the performance. To score twice against a Premiership club and look fairly comfortable was great. We played well, the game-plan was good. We tried to make sure we blocked off the middle of the pitch and make it difficult for Kilmarnock.

“But we’ve lost three goals and a normally very good defence didn’t look too secure tonight. That was a big problem for us.”

Coughlin also discussed loanees Ben Stirling and goalscorer Sean Mackie, continuing: “Hibernian usually send us good quality players, that’s been proven in the past and I believe that they’ve done that again.

“It was unfortunate for Ben (who was forced off injured), I believe he trained today and maybe his muscles were tired. But I’m really looking forward to seeing him play a full 90 minutes.

“As I am with Mackie, he looked a very accomplished young player today. His goal was great and the build up with Jordyn Sheerin was good, there were a lot of posistives. But us conceeding three goals is not on and is something we have to rectify.

“With this bunch of players, they won’t let you down for effort. Technically they might make mistakes and decision making may decline as we tire, and I do think that was evident late in the game.

“It could maybe be seen in Lee Hamilton who got caught out on the ball late on for their third goal, but we’re putting that down to tiredness. He had a hard shift against one of their better players.

“It’s a learning curve for a lot of the younger players in the side. There’s experience in there but certainly the younger lads have acquitted themselves well tonight.”

The Berwick boss also discusses his side’s failure to deal with long balls from Kilmarnock, other injuries and how his side have responded to recent criticisms, and our final Betfred Cup Group Stage match away to Morton this Saturday.