Niko: We were stunned at boss axe

NIKO HAMALAINEN admits a culture clash could have cost Angelo Alessio his job at Kilmarnock and is backing Alex Dyer to recharge the Rugby Park dressing room.

The Italian was axed on Tuesday after just 22 matches in charge with Killie sitting fifth in the table.

A run of eight games which brought just one win culminated in him losing his job.

Assistant Dyer has been placed in interim charge and will remain so for the next three games, starting with this afternoon’s home clash against Motherwell.

Asked why it didn’t work out for Alessio, the 22-year-old Finland international said: “It might have been a mixture of where the manager is from and the way he wanted to play but I really don’t know.

“I’m sure Scottish football can

BY FRASER WILSON accept that (different cultures) but it just didn’t work out here. He is a good manager.”

Full-back Hamalainen acknowledged the language barrier at times caused a disconnect but said: “If there was an issue then Massimo Donati would help. Angelo always had a smile on his face and always tried to bring joy to the group.

“Even if we lost, drew or won the game he would come round and shake the players’ hands and say well done. When news broke he was getting sacked he shook our hands and spoke to us. I’ll always thank Angelo for having faith in me.”

Dyer has taken charge of training in the build-up to the Well clash. Hamalainen said: “I’ve seen in training he has the credentials to be a boss. Everyone here knows what he is about.”