Kenny Shiels has revealed Kilmarnock's Scottish League Cup celebrations were halted by post-game illness to Liam Kelly's father.
Midfielder Liam Kelly's father hospitalised after collapse
Manager Kenny Shiels has revealed Kilmarnock's Scottish League Cup win celebrations were halted by post-game illness to midfielder Liam Kelly's father.
Dieter van Tornhout's late header snatched a 1-0 triumph over firm favourites Celtic to land the trophy for the first time in Kilmarnock's history, but Kelly's father collapsed amid the jubilant scenes.
He was taken to hospital after several minutes of treatment by paramedics next to the Killie bench, and the club awaits news on his progress.
"I am all over the place, I really am," said boss Shiels. "It happened right beside this dugout and I am only doing this press conference out of respect to you (the media) so I hope you appreciate that.
"I don't know the medical term, but it is a heart attack, probably. He is away to hospital and the family has gone with him.
"I have gone from so high an emotion to so low an emotion. We are not sure of the outcome but he is very seriously ill and that's a tough emotion after going up to one of the best moments of our lives.
'Despondent'
"The dressing room is very despondent and I don't know why the man above sends down these messages to us.
"We are thinking more about Liam than our triumphalism."
Shiels believes Kilmarnock have beaten the best team in Scotland to achieve their feat, and is pleased for veterans James Fowler and Garry Hay to have finally landed an honour.
He said: "We worked on the tactical side of the game, in how we could nullify certain areas of their team but at the same time dominate the ball.
"For periods of the game we achieved that domination and periods of the game where we gave the ball away cheaply but we were playing the best team in the country.
"But I don't want to feel good about myself, because we are in a very difficult situation.
"I am pleased for people like James Fowler and Garry Hay, players who have played their whole career and not won a single trophy."
