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Raging Neil McCann erupts at BBC interviewer as 'negative' Kilmarnock question sparks on-air exchange Killie saw off Ayr United on derby day to reach the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup Irked Neil McCann took on former BBC colleague Jonathan Sutherland in a tense interview after Kilmarnock's win over Ayr United. McCann's men pipped rivals Ayr to a spot in the Premier Sports Cup last eight after coming from behind. Kilmarnock were twice behind at Rugby Park to Gary Naysmith’s impressive Championship side. But they battled back and scored twice late on, through Michael Schjønning-Larsen and Nicky Clescenco, to sicken the visitors. McCann’s men scored the morale-boosting 3-2 win after starting their Premiership campaign with two defeats, conceding nine goals. And that defensive record was flagged by Sutherland as he spoke to McCann on Sportsound - which the raging gaffer branded "negative". Addressing the performance, the gaffer said: "Nobody can say we didn't deserve it. We were the team in control of the match. They had a bit of quality on the counter attack. "Tonight we can celebrate, I have told them to go and enjoy it because you have got to enjoy your wins and it's brilliant to be in the quarter-finals, and we can watch the rest of the ties unfold now." Sutherland noted the two scored by Ayr - with Killie shipping 11 goals in the last three games against St Johnstone, Celtic and their Ayrshire rivals: "Couple of goals conceded - how much of a concern is that in terms of the goals being conceded right now?" McCann cut in: "Are you just going to be negative all the time?" Sutherland responded: "It's a relevant question." The Kilmarnock boss fired back: "It's not a relevant question." The BBC man said: "You have conceded a few goals at the start of the season." McCann wasn't having it: "Jonathan, I am going to tell you right now - this is a cup game tonight. I am only concentrating on us having a bit of character, a bit of grit - yes, we conceded two goals tonight with a bit of quality on the counter attack. We left ourselves open because we were trying to go and boss the game. We showed a lot of quality, and that quality was matched by our three finishes." Speaking post-match, McCann felt the dramatic finish was perfect for the derby showdown: “I’m absolutely delighted. Cup football is all about getting through. “I’ve been on the winning side in Cup finals and no one really cares how you get there. “It’s all about progressing. We can play better. “But I don’t think anyone can say we didn’t deserve to win. “We are pushing the game; we are controlling the game. “To have the guts and determination twice to come back and keep pushing for the winner, I have to credit the boys. “We weren’t settled on extra-time. I just always felt we’d get another chance. “The Kilmarnock fans might’ve wanted a big win. “But to win it in that way, there’s just something nice about it.” Clescenco, who replaced Jamie Brandon late in the first half, was matchwinner after seizing on a luckless Harry Stone spill. McCann reckons the Moldovan international was so cool in picking his spot for the goal. He said: “Nicky’s finish is a touch of class. “At that stage of the game he could’ve rushed it or smashed it and it could’ve been blocked. “The awareness and ability to just lift it into the net was terrific. “I felt the third goal was coming. As a coaching staff, you can’t just look at the boys and sit and hope. “We kept asking questions, moved bodies about, made subs. “We got the response we were looking for.” Ayr went in front after five minutes through Owen Stirton. After Joe Hugill’s leveller, Ross Taylor smashed them in front again. “You’re giving teams a start early in the game, we were 1-0 down,” complained McCann. “A couple of minutes into the second half, you’ve given them another one and it just flattens the atmosphere. “So it asks questions of the fans to be patient and I felt the majority were. They got their rewards.”