'He’s improving every week': Lewis Mayo talks up David Watson potential

Kilmarnock defender Lewis Mayo believes the sky is the limit for teenage team-mate David Watson.

The 18-year-old midfielder scored his first Killie goal in the 3-1 defeat at Celtic in October, the only goal of the game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie earlier in the month and the opener in the 2-1 win over St Johnstone on Saturday – his first senior goal at Rugby Park.

Watson’s wonderful 25-yard strike after six minutes was followed by a Marley Watkins goal in the 17th minute and although Saints substitute Nicky Clark reduced the deficit in the second half, Derek McInnes’s side ran out winners to take them into fourth place in the cinch Premiership, one point ahead of St Mirren.

Ahead of the game against the Buddies in Paisley on Wednesday night, Mayo spoke in glowing terms about his younger colleague.

The 23-year-old defender said: “David Watson’s strike speaks for itself. That isn’t something you work on, that is just a moment of magic from him. Since he has come in, he has been excellent and he is improving every week.

“He is getting better from playing games and he is still so young. But he is starting to add goals now and there is no limit as to how far he can go.

“You see that maturity from him away from the games and when he is away from the pitch.

“He handles himself really well and he has come into this first-team environment really well and he is a young boy but you wouldn’t think that.”

After taking 10 points from 12, Mayo admits Killie travel to Paisley with belief.

He said: “We need to keep taking confidence, especially that first half an hour. We know that we can go and blow teams away.

“Even looking back to that second half against Celtic (2-1 win on December 10), there is no reason to fear anyone when we play to our own levels.

“Not to look too far ahead but it is a good opportunity to put a bit of distance between us and put a marker down. At the same time it is about being sensible and taking it one game at a time.”