Killie’s three-goal flurry fails to rouse slumbering Hearts
Kilmarnock are reaping the benefits of sticking with a manager who made a bad start at the club.
The Ayrshire fans were singing the praises of Angelo Alessio after watching their favourites beat Hearts with considerable ease.
Hearing chants of “Angelo, Angelo” to the tune from the Banana Splits would have been inconceivable a short time ago when they were trying to chase the Italian out of town after a disastrous start to the season.
Alessio said: “I’m embarrassed hearing the supporters singing my name.
“It’s important, not for me but for my players. They love this team a lot and I’m happy about that.
“Two months ago, we found it difficult to score goals. Now we’re scoring three goals in 20 minutes and we’re happy about that.
“We deserved to win the game, but we have to continue to improve.”
While it’s going well for one boss, things moved in the opposite direction for the man in the opposition dugout.
Austin MacPhee still wants the Hearts’ job on a permanent basis but his hopes looked to be vanishing before his eyes within the first 20 minutes.
Killie caught the Hearts defence napping early on and going behind did nothing to wake them from their slumber.
The Gorgie men found themselves 3-0 behind after only 16 minutes.
Chris Burke’s second goal of the game was the signal for some visiting fans to throw a smoke bomb and start heading back to Edinburgh.
MacPhee decided to start the match with Uche Ikpeazu playing on the right flank. He can be a real nuisance as a central striker but he is clearly not a winger.
The goals in Kilmarnock’s early burst were well taken but showed the Jambos at their worst.
Their slow, laboured style allowed the home team to pick them off on the break.
When you throw in some powder-puff defending, it’s a real recipe for disaster.
The opener saw Niko Hamalainen pick out Mohamed El Makrini on the edge of the visitors’ box and he was given time to feed Burke on his right.
He slammed the ball into the net despite finding himself wide of the goal.
Goal-scorer turned provider five minutes later when a cross by the 35-year-old was nodded home by Eamonn “The Wolf” Brophy.
Burke doubled his tally when he ran from his own half, turned the ball on to his left foot and guided the ball beyond Branescu.
He showed great energy and composure, but Michael Smith just kept backing off and was almost inviting Burke to keep going.
Hearts had one chance of a consolation after half-time but Clevid Dikamona sending an uncontested header wide from close range just summed up their hapless performance.
Angelo Alessio maintained he wasn’t surprised by how well Burke performed, saying the striker has a “professional head”.
The player admitted he has made sacrifices to keep playing, but was off for a burger and some chocolate to celebrate.
Asked what keeps him going as he approaches his 36th birthday a week tomorrow, he replied: “Love. That’s it.
“I train hard every day and I play how I train.
“I know it won’t last forever and that’s why you have to cherish these moments.
“I’ve had to adapt my game. I’m not the player I was when I was 25.
“I need my team-mates to help me and run beyond me. They do that.
“I’ve had to make sacrifices to make sure I’m ready but I still love McDonald’s and chocolate!”