Paul Sheerin reckons the re-introduced reserves platform will help allow Kilmarnock's young stars to catapult themselves to the first team.
Steven Warnock bagged a hat-trick against Partick Thistle in their Reserve Cup opener on Tuesday.
Warnock impressed in the 4-0 win along with the likes of David Watson, Bobby Wales and Kian Leslie who will hope to be knocking on the door of the senior squad.
And Killie coach Sheerin, who is responsible for the reserve squad, says it's up to these players to keep it up and force their way into the first team.
He told the Kilmarnock Standard: “Yeah he was great [Warnock], we asked him to play a position that was a wee bit foreign to him for the first part of the game.
“But his quality screams out of him when you get him in areas of the pitch that he can go and affect things.
“Two goals on Saturday then another three, it’s not a bad return in two games!
“This is what the reserve platform is for, for players to go and make a name for themselves and try to be noticed.
“Granted it’s totally different going into the first team environment, but you have to make the most of it when you can.
“It’s up to him to continue at those levels, which allows the manager and Doc [Tony Docherty] to have a look at them in this environment, and I am sure if it keeps up then he’ll get his chance, like the others too."
Sheerin added: “Since we’ve came into the club we have recognised the work that guys are doing here, the likes of Chris Burke and Craig Clark.
“Some of the young lads are doing great things, they’re full of energy which is really pleasing.
“You don’t always get that in younger players, but these boys realise the opportunity that they have and at the minute they’re working hard to be better."
It was a comfortable result in the end on Tuesday, but with just a late first half goal separating the sides, Sheerin admits there's work to be done.
He said: “It was frustrating in the first half, I felt we allowed them a bit too much time to play.
“In and out of possession was tough in the first half, but the change of shape seemed to help us when we made changes.
“We had to do that as we took off some of the senior boys, they were having their minutes topped up which was needed for the likes of JJ [Jordan Jones] and Blair [Alston] as they were out for a period of time.
“The substitutes made an impact, and bringing Bobby [Wales] on gave us a focal point, it allowed Steven [Warnock] to play in an area that he prefers to play.
“Yes it was comfortable in the end, but we need to learn from the first bit that it’s not good enough for the standards at this club."
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