Derek McInnes reckons Kilmarnock showed they have what it takes to compete in the Premiership as they put St Johnstone to the sword.
A Dan Armstrong double with goals either side of half-time ensured it was the Ayrshire side celebrating, despite a nervy end when Theo Bair scored a stoppage-time consolation.
The result means Killie leapfrogged Ross County into 10th place, leaving themselves just three points behind St Johnstone in ninth.
Boss McInnes said: “It was important to the supporters to show that we’re here and we’re fighting.
“The body language, the effort, the tenacity and the ground covered was far more of what I want.
“It was a case of making sure that being strong at home is going to be a big part of us doing well this year.
“It’s important we enjoy being at home but it was important we got a bit of confidence. We had to work for that – and by Christ we worked for it.
“Callum [Davidson] threw all sorts to change the narrative and we stood up to the majority of it. But that last three minutes was tough. It was a helluva strike but we got over the line.”
Blair Alston, making his first start of the season, almost scored from a similar distance as his famous league-winning goal last season, but his effort drifted narrowly wide.
Four minutes later it was the Perth side who looked like they were set to take the lead, but Zach Hemming came to the rescue with a fine double save.
It was Killie who fired them in front thanks to a stunning free-kick from 25 yards via Armstrong.
Ali Crawford tried his luck from the edge of the area in the 25th minute, but again Hemming was equal to it as he tipped the effort over.
Just two minutes into the second half it was two for the hosts as Armstrong doubled his money after a scramble in the area he headed in from close range.
Armstrong was inches away from his hat-trick on the hour mark when he cut inside, his curling effort went narrowly wide.
It was a nervier end than Killie had hoped for when substitute Bair finished well to give the Saints a glimmer of hope heading into stoppage time, but thankfully for the hosts they kept the victory intact.
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