EMBARRASSING

Alessio forced to apologise after European humiliation

SCOTTISH football’s battered reputation was dealt another blow last night after Kilmarnock were turfed out of the Europa League qualifiers by Welsh part-timers Connah’s Quay Nomads. It was an embarrassing home debut for new boss Angelo Alessio, who has been tasked with carrying on the sterling work of Steve Clarke but was forced to apologise after getting off to the most humiliating of starts with a 2-0 seoncd-leg defeat.

On a night when Rangers cruised past

Gibraltar’s St Joseph’s 6-0 and Aberdeen stuttered but ultimately progressed with a 2-1 away win to Finnish side RoPS Rovaniemi, Killie’s result was a hammer blow. ‘It was very disappointing,’ said Alessio. ‘In the first half we had three opportunities to score, but in the second half the game was no good. We tried to find the solution but we conceded two goals. ‘I’m sorry. I think this team has the quality, the strength and the right motivation to come back.’ A crowd of over 8,000 had flocked to Rugby Park for the side’s first home European tie in 18 years. Protecting a goal advantage from the first leg, expectations were high that the result was a formality. A tie with Partizan Belgrade in the next round was the mouth-watering prospect from what was expected to be a Killie celebration of 18 months of hard work. But second-half goals from Ryan Wignall and a Callum Morris penalty turned the clash on its head and ensured Alessio was already being forced to answer some tough questions ahead of the start of the domestic season — and an opening game with Rangers. ‘The first goal, all the defenders were there, but this can happen,’ said Alessio. ‘For the penalty, I’m not sure if it was offside or not. ‘Yesterday I said: “No complacency” because I’ve played in a lot of these games. But today I repeat, we had two opportunities to score.’ Asked about his need to bring in players, including strengthening in forward areas, Alessio added: ‘We’re in a lot of conversations. It’s difficult to find a new striker.’