Nicke Kabamba is playing the best football of his career and has no plans on leaving Rugby Park anytime soon.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a successful start to the season after seeing his maiden campaign in Scotland curtailed by the pandemic and the shutdown of football.

The forward was at his best on Saturday and scored as an impressive Kilmarnock saw off Ross County 3-1 at home, despite playing with 10 men for most of the match.

“I’m really enjoying it, it’s always best to be happy while you’re playing football and I think that’s showing on the pitch. I’m in a good place,” Kabamba said.

“I went from playing in the Conference South in England to playing in the SPFL in Scotland, playing against big teams and I’m playing in a great team myself. You love days like this, scoring, going home, enjoying your day off and looking forward to the next game.

“I’m really happy here, so there is no reason why I wouldn’t [sign a new deal].”

Saturday’s match with County got off to the worst possible start for Kabamba’s side. Stuart Findlay saw red after just eight minutes when he was adjudged to have fouled Ross Stewart who was through on goal. Replays showed the Scotland international may have been hard done to and manager Alex Dyer said he would appeal the decision.

Despite being a man down, Eamonn Brophy gave the hosts the lead soon after with a strong header from inside the area. County did respond just before half time when Tom Grivosti rose highest in the six-yard box to bring his side level.

Dyer opted to field Kabamba as a lone striker in the second half. This allowed for Gary Dicker, who had slotted into the defence after the sending off, to return to the centre of the park and with that so did his side’s control of the game. Despite being a man down, Kilmarnock were the better team and when Mitch Pinnock was fouled in the area, Kabamba sent Ross Doohan the wrong way to regain the lead for the hosts.

“Because we were down a man we didn’t have as much possession [in the first half],” Kabamba said. “But I think when we did, we looked quite threatening going forward. [It’s] definitely a positive result that shows we’ve got a lot of character in the dressing room and we can dig deep when we need to. 

“I feel like we’ve been a little bit unlucky with some of our results, a few penalties haven’t gone our way. I think we’re back on track now and looking forward to the next game.” 

Up until the final 10 minutes, when Danny Rodgers began to be called into action, Ross County offered far too little in terms of a goal threat. And as they chased an equaliser, substitute Chris Burke produced a fierce drive into the top corner from the edge of the box to ensure Kilmarnock’s  win. 

The inability to go for the jugular was particularly frustrating for County’s Charlie Lakin. The on-loan Birmingham man conceded his side were deserving of the defeat. 

“It wasn’t good enough from the start of the game let alone when they went down to 10 men, so it’s very disappointing for all of us,” he said. 

“We couldn’t deal with the first ball and didn’t have many seconds, and then when we’re chasing the game we’re still trying to play neat and tidy when we just need to be a horrible team and go long sometimes and just get in their faces.  

“It’s a kick in the teeth but it’s one of them we’ve got to learn from and pick ourselves up and go again because the games are coming thick and fast now.”