DISPLAY SHOWS WE’RE UNITED, SAYS ALESSIO

ANGELO ALESSIO claims Kilmarnock’s dogged performance against Rangers offered a rebuke to suggestions of dressing-room unrest. The Italian’s methods have come under intense scrutiny following the Europa League humiliation against Connah’s Quay Nomads, with a claim some players were considering expressing their concerns to the club hierarchy. Alessio (left) was disappointed by his side’s defending at set-pieces, as Rangers claimed a stoppage-time winner through Connor Goldson’s header after taking a first-half lead from a Scott Arfield strike that followed another James Tavernier corner. However, the 54-year-old was pleased by the overall effort and believes it showed a unified purpose that he always expected. ‘I’m sure of my team and my players,’ said Alessio. ‘These players have a good attitude and mentality, which they showed in every game last season. I’ve read the players are unhappy but that’s not true and they showed it with a good performance today. ‘We still have to improve but I’m happy with my team.’ Kilmarnock drew level with seven minutes remaining when Stephen O’Donnell fired into the roof of the net from a deep Chris Burke free-kick. But the joy that surged around three sides of Rugby Park was short-lived as Goldson had the final say. ‘It was a great shame at the end of the game,’ said Alessio. ‘We deserved a better result as we played very well in the second half. I asked the team to press more than they did in the first half but it’s important to analyse the defeat as we lost two goals from two corners. We can’t afford that. ‘We’ve improved. We worked hard every day for this and it wasn’t an easy game as Rangers have good, technical players. We played well but there are areas we still have to improve. Now we prepare for Hamilton.’ O’Donnell agreed the general display should lift spirits at a club badly in need of positivity after that European exit to a team of Welsh part-timers. Asked if he felt pride had been restored, the Scotland right-back replied: ‘We got beaten so I don’t know about that, but we can allow ourselves a bit of optimism. ‘We are getting tipped by pundits to get relegated which is massively disrespectful to all the players on that park, regardless of how many changes there have been in the squad. ‘We finished third last season and I know Steve Clarke had a massive impact on that but the players did as well. ‘From top to the bottom as a club we have been hurting because of that result against Connah’s Quay, so there are certainly lots of positives and something to build on for the rest of the games. ‘Did I think there was an overreaction to the European result? I don’t know but we should be winning. ‘We won the away game which is traditionally the hardest part to do. We just got it wrong as a club for the second leg, even the fans, with them booking up for the next round.’