Killie boss issues ‘hands off’ warning over Taylor

KILMARNOCK manager Angelo Alessio has told potential suitors of Greg Taylor that the Scotland international will not be leaving Rugby Park during the transfer window.

Alessio insists he and the club are determined to hold on to their best players after Celtic were linked with a move for Kilmarnock’s left-back following the £25 million transfer of Kieran Tierney to Arsenal.

Kilmarnock rejected a £500,000 bid from Bundesliga 2 outfit Nurnberg earlier this summer for the 21-year-old.

Taylor is under contract for the next two years and Alessio is adamant he will not leave before the transfer window closes on September 2.

Alessio said: “I want to keep the best players in our team: Taylor, O’Donnell and other players.

“In the next two weeks I don’t think this player can go to other teams. I’ve read about Greg but I think they are just rumours.

“I don’t think (the club would sell him) because the club and I want to keep the best players in our team.”

The Rugby Park hierarchy and Stephen O’Donnell remain in talks over a new deal for the right-back.

However, Alessio remains optimistic about adding new recruits to his squad.

He said: “We need to add other players up front but this is a very difficult market because other teams want the same players. Maybe next week we’ll have some players.”

Killie face Hamilton for the second week in succession when they meet in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup tomorrow and Alessio will be hoping they can turn their form around after three defeats in a row.

Mal Brannigan