Derek McInnes insists it’s still all to play for in Kilmarnock’s UEFA Conference League tie with Tromso after a late goal from teenager Bobby Wales salvaged a 2-2 draw at Rugby Park.
Killie face an uphill task in next week’s return leg, with McInnes having stated pre-match that any failure to take a lead to Norway would be disappointing.
But he reckons his team are still in with a fighting chance following the 19-year-old substitute's dramatic intervention - and believes they can punish what he claimed was a sense of complacency in the visiting ranks.
The Ayrshire side stormed into an early lead when skipper Kyle Vassell put them 1-0 up after just six minutes.
However, Tromso were the better side for large spells, fighting back to go 2-1 ahead with second-half goals from Jakob Napoleon Romsaad and Lasse Nordas.
They looked good value to go on and win, only for Wales to pick the ideal time to score his first goal for his hometown club.
Teenager Bobby Wales, left, celebrates his late goal with skipper Vassell
Wales makes it 2-2, which boss McInnes says has given Kilmarnock a fighting chance in tie
Manager McInnes claims Tromso were getting complacent at end of match
‘We showed great spirit and determination,’ said manager McInnes. ‘You always remember how a game finishes. I think they (Tromso) think the game’s won. It’s not. We’ll look forward to next Thursday.
‘What pleased me was the way we finished the game. That was us all over the back of last season. That’s why we’re in Europe - because we never know we’re beaten.
‘We got off to a great start with the goal, then struggled a little bit with Tromso’s shape, with the keeper coming so far out and becoming an extra centre-back.
Vassell got Killie off to the best possible start with a goal after six minutes
The Killie skipper was happy to flex his muscles after such a powerful start to the game
‘We don’t face that in Scotland. We couldn’t press the way we wanted and Tromso grew in confidence.
‘I’m not going to moan, but they looked more game-ready [with their domestic season well under way]. They’re where we would be in January, 18 to 19 games into the season.
‘The goals we lost weren’t good enough, albeit it wasn’t from Tromso cutting us open. The first came from a scooped clearance for Robby [McCrorie] up in the air. The second comes via a counter-attack from our own corner. It’s ridiculous.
Kilmarnock had a penalty awarded when Tromso's keeper clattered into Joe Wright
But the referee overturned the penalty decision after VAR intervened, much to Killie's fury
‘My players kept going and I’m proud of them for that. We’ll go over there with plenty of belief.’
Killie were awarded a penalty when Joe Wright seemed to be taken out by Tromso keeper Jakob Haugaard in the second half, only for it to be ruled out by VAR.
‘It was a bit harsh,’ said McInnes. ‘Once the ref has given the on-field decision, you don’t expect it to be overturned.’