KILMARNOCK boss Jim Jefferies admits Steven Naismith's hat-trick against Falkirk to send the Ayrshire side into the Final was the best performance from one of his players since Allan Johnston scored three against Rangers for Hearts at Ibrox 11 years ago.

The 20-year-old lit up an exciting semi-final at Fir Park with a virtuoso performance which put Killie into their first major final since 2001.

The Scotland B international gave his side the interval lead when he drilled home a Colin Nish flick-on from 16 yards out before doubling their lead with a wonderful strike in the 71st minute.

To cap a memorable night, he scored from the spot six minutes later after being fouled by Bairns defender Kenny Milne.

Johnston, ironically now a team-mate of Naismith, rose to prominence in 1996 when, as a Hearts player under Jefferies, he scored a hat-trick against Rangers at Ibrox.

Jefferies compared the two feats, saying: "I remember going to Ibrox and winning 3-0 with Allan Johnston scoring a hat-trick.

"He was unbelievably superb that day. He showed great composure and great finishing and Naismith's performance was comparable.

"But they don't come round too often. Naismith was always the one player that had their defenders asking: Where is he?' "He's a difficult player to stop. He's aggressive, strong and direct and is a good finisher as he showed."

Naismith is looking to help Kilmarnock win silverware for the first time since 1997 when, ironically, they beat Falkirk 1-0 at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup Final.

He is hoping to play a more practical part than he did when he attended the final in Glasgow as a 10-year-old Killie fan.

He said: "Yes, I was at the game supporting Kilmarnock. I was only 10, but I remember Paul Wright scoring Killie's goal.

"The amount of Kilmarnock fans there was unbelievable. I hope we can see the same again.

"I suppose I'm living the dream. With the Old Firm out, we've a great chance - now we have to go and do it."

Falkirk boss John Hughes praised Killie and Naismith, but claims his players contributed to their own demise.

He said: "We have to give full credit to Kilmarnock. They got the required result and now they are in the final.

"It's disappointing because, with the Old Firm out, we felt we had a chance to win the cup.

"The first goal we lost was poor; our centre-halves went for the same ball and missed it.

"But Naismith was fantastic. I wish I had him in my team."