Killie stopping the rot crucial, admits Alessio
Kilmarnock boss Angelo Alessio believes victory in the Betfred Cup can signal a fresh start for his side.
The under- pressure Italian looked a relieved man after his side knocked out Hamilton Accies with a goal in extra-time.
After disaster in the Europa League qualifiers, the K illie fans had been getting increasingly impatient with the man who replaced Steve Clarke.
A narrow win over Hamilton isn’t one of the club’s great results, but it has come at a crucial time.
Alessio said: “I think this is a new start to the season because I think the team will now have more confidence and be able to improve a lot.
“I think we deserved the win.
“I said to Dom Thomas to go on to the pitch and score.
“I had faith in him as he scored a lot of goals away on loan last season.
“I always believed that we would score and win the game.
“This win is important for the team and myself also.
“It was important for me as the manager to win this match as there was pressure after three defeats, but I am happy for the team.
“We can now go into future matches with more confidence, but we have to work hard and improve a lot.”
Accies boss Brian Rice was proud of his side despite exiting the cup.
He handed a firstteam debut to 17- yearold central defender Jamie Hamilton, who replaced the suspended Brian Easton.
Rice said: “I don’t think they caused us too many problems.
“My young team put up a spirited performance and I thought there was only one team going to win it.
“I thought we looked dangerous. I thought we’d snuffed out their threat, but it wasn’t to be.
“I ’m delighted for Jamie. I just pulled him in yesterday and told him he was playing.
“I had no qualms about playing the kid.
“He’s the captain of Scotland Under-17s, he’s assured and knows what he’s doing.
“L a s t we e k e n d we had a man sent off and should have had a penalty.
“This time there were a couple of decisions, which I’m not going to go into b ecause I’ll get into trouble, that I thought could have changed the game.
“We came down here last year, got beaten 5- 0 and were run over the top of.
“This time I’m proud as hell of my boys.”