Stephen Kingsley on Kilmarnock pitch and Hearts consistency - Full Q&A

The centre back discussed the team's preparation for Rugby Park's synthetic pitch, playing in a back three, Frankie Kent's impact since arriving in the summer and the need for greater consistency if Hearts are to kick on and seal third place.

Here's everything the defender had to say: 

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What’s it like training indoors at Oriam compared to the grass?

It is different on Astro compared to grass. You’ve obviously got Killie and Livi that play on Astro, so it does help getting used to that in the week of the game. The other day we trained on the outside one and today we were on the inside one. We know the conditions [against Kilmarnock] - I’ll be looking forward to them changing to grass - but it is what it is, like we’ve done before. We’ll just get on with it and try to get a good performance.

So you’re not a fan of artificial surfaces?

Personally, it doesn’t really bother me. It’s more the changing between grass and Astro that my body finds quite tough. It’s just a personal thing with how my body is. That’s probably why I prefer training in the week leading up to the game on the same surface, just to get going on it. It’s one of those things you just need to deal with when it comes around.

How much do you have to change the way you play on a surface like that?

It does affect the way you play. Anyone who says it doesn’t is lying, it definitely changes it. Killie’s being an older Astro, it’s been there for a few years, kind of flattens it and makes it a bit harder. We played Raith Rovers and it was very good, it was a lot easier to play on it. It does pose different challenges when you’re playing on a surface like Killie’s, but you still need to put a good performance in. With the temperature, it’s probably going to have a bit of zip to it as well, being a bit frosty, and hopefully that will help us. There’s no excuses. Yes, it can bring different challenges to grass, but it’s one we just need to face.

How much have you enjoyed playing in a back three?

It’s kind of similar to not last year but the year before when we played with a back three regularly. I was on the left side and since turning to this in the last few weeks I’ve been on the right. But the principles are still the same. Defensively, you need to get switched on in terms of body shape. You’re naturally on the left-hand side so you have to think a wee bit more about how your body shape is. But getting on the ball, I naturally want to come in on my left foot anyway. Especially when you have lots of the ball, for instance the Livi game, when you get forward it can be a different attribute to a right footer playing on the right-hand side. You can have the ball out to the wing-back, who can go on the outside, or for me I naturally like to come inside. So, it has its advantages as well as having to think more about it defensively as well.

As a collective the team must be really happy with the way you’re all defending?

With the three at the back, we have gelled pretty well. It’s a shape we feel comfortable in and I feel we can control the game a bit more. We have more of the ball, which I think helps defensively, having more control. And on counter-attacks, you feel a bit more secure. Especially from my point of view, stepping into the game, it’s good knowing you have two centre-halves behind you. We’ve done well with it. The next few weeks will be a tougher test because the teams we’re playing are going to be at the higher end of the table. But it’s good to build confidence in that defensive area.

How does Frankie Kent compare to Craig Halkett?

They’re different players but obviously very aggressive and similar in that way. They’re comfortable on the ball as well. It does help having that extra body in that area to manipulate the game and build attacks. Whether it’s Frankie or Halks when he’s back, whenever he is, I think it is a position we’ve done well with in the last few weeks. The next few weeks will be the one when we hope to kick on now.

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How big is the incentive to go third by getting a win at Killie?

Aye, course. Results-wise, it hasn't been a great start to the season. We've picked up three really positive results now. I know everyone has been talking about how long since we had three consecutive [league] wins. That's a big positive. Defensively, we have done well. Everyone feels that we can be scoring more goals and making games more comfortable for ourselves, but hopefully that will come. Going on a good wee run will hopefully build confidence going into this busy period.

Does it gnaw away at you that you haven't been third?

It's frustrating, aye, absolutely - not getting the results you want against the teams you feel that you should be beating. You don't look too much into it because it's a long season - a marathon, not a sprint. It's important for us, as players, when we are going through a spell like that, not to get too down. Vice-versa when you are winning. You need to keep that level of mental space and composure. We went through a tough spell with some tough results. We've had three good results now but we don't want to get too high. We know we are coming into a tough spell in terms of number of games and the teams we are playing. It's going to be a vital few weeks for us. We will start tomorrow and make sure we get the win there.

Has it felt like that kind of season where you can do well if you put a few results together?

Yeah. I've said from the beginning of the season that it will be a really tight table. I don't think anyone has shown consistency, and that includes us. We want to get there. The three results we have had, we want to continue that on and show the consistency and quality we've got. St Mirren went through a spell of showing really good consistency. Naturally, they will have a dip. They have had a couple of poor results in the last few weeks. I just feel it will be a tight league this season. Especially this month with all the games coming up, anyone who can show that bit of consistency for the rest of the season, they will be the ones who come out on top.

Do you think you missed that last season at points?

Aye. We got ourselves into a great position last season with a few games to go. The level of consistency at the end of the season wasn't good enough at all. It's the same as the beginning of this season. We had results that were very poor but, within that, there was total dominance against Aberdeen in a great performance for 90 minutes. Rosenborg at Tynecastle, against a very good team, was a great performance. There have been spells. Other teams will be saying exactly the same as me about how good they have been at times. The key word is consistency. That will be the one that shows where you will finish.

Can you take heart from still being fourth without being consistent?

Yeah, I think that reflects how the league has been, maybe excluding Celtic. Even Rangers have been a bit inconsistent. Having that spell at the beginning of the season when we were fourth, it just shows where we are at. If we can really get things sorted and levelled out and show that consistency, then we will be in a good place.

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