Alessio can trump Clarke’s cup record, says O’Donnell
EXCLUSIVE
IT was the only black spot in Steve Clarke’s otherwise magical 18-month managerial reign at Kilmarnock.
A club-record points total was amassed, along with a third-place finish and qualification for European football for the first time in 18 years. But the latter stages of cup competitions continued to elude the rejuvenated Rugby Park side.
A Scottish Cup quarter-final replay defeat on penalties to Aberdeen in March 2018 was as good as it got under Clarke, prompting him to apologise for his failure to deliver a trophy when he departed in May to take charge of Scotland.
After a tough start to life as his successor, Angelo Alessio has slowly but surely steadied the ship at Kilmarnock.
Should his team continue their recent progress with victory over struggling Hibs at Rugby Park tomorrow night, the Italian will have taken his team to parts of the Scottish game where even Clarke couldn’t reach: namely, the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup.
‘It would mean a lot to us at Kilmarnock to get success in the cup,’ defender Stephen O’Donnell told Sportsmail.
‘That would really help bring in the next generation of supporter.
‘It was disappointing we did not manage to go far in the cups under the last manager because he brought so much to this club. It would have been the icing on the cake, really.
‘But, hopefully, we can provide it this season. If we can get to Hampden, it would be a good step in the right direction but we are under no illusions that it will be a tough game against Hibs.’
Alessio, a former right-hand man to Antonio Conte with Italy, Chelsea and Juventus, endured a baptism of fire in Kilmarnock.
Defeat to Welsh part-timers Connah’s Quay in the Europa League qualifiers was a miserable way to mark the club’s first foray into continental competition since 2001.
But Killie have improved greatly and, after keeping four consecutive clean sheets, gave Celtic a scare by taking the lead at Parkhead before eventually going down 3-1 to Neil Lennon’s side at the weekend.
‘I think the key has been getting back to basics and everyone working together,’ said O’Donnell, who admitted it was ‘great’ to be linked with a move to Celtic in the summer but that he is focusing on Kilmarnock, where he has a year left on his current contract.
‘Against Connah’s Quay, we tried to be open and expansive. We were trying to win the game because they were sitting in deep.
‘But now we are back to the bread and butter of the league, we are well organised and we take our opportunities to attack when they come. I think that style of play suits us more when we are not expected to go out and be open.
‘Everyone was hurting after the Connah’s Quay game but we all know how to wind each other up and get each other over difficult times.
‘As captain, Gary Dicker plays a big part in keeping spirits high. Some of his banter is horrendous but he keeps everyone together.’
Kilmarnock’s fine form has helped O’Donnell get over the recent difficult international double-header with Scotland.
The 27-year-old held his hands up after being caught out of position and turning the ball into his own net for Russia’s winner in their 2-1 triumph at Hampden earlier this month. Days later, Clarke’s side lost 4-0 to a star-studded Belgium side, who have topped the FIFA world rankings for over a year.
As tough as it was, representing his country remains a career high for O’Donnell, who is desperate to make amends for his error against Russia in Moscow next month and at home to San Marino.
‘Every cap is amazing,’ said O’Donnell. ‘I love playing for Scotland. Any time I represent my country, it is the proudest moment of my life. Of course it’s always disappointing when you have a bad performance and a bad result. Unfortunately, I made a mistake against Russia and it was punished at that level.
‘But I went back to Kilmarnock and club football looking to perform well and get good results and, hopefully, do enough to keep my place in the Scotland squad.
‘And if I do enough to get the nod, I will be doing everything I can to right the wrong. I want to be part of a successful Scotland team.
‘There is a lot to work on but there were positives, mainly from the Belgium game. We are building something under the manager and we want to get to the Euros next summer — more realistically through the play-offs.
‘We all want to do it. It’s a new experience for the gaffer and it’s not easy, with there being weeks and months between international breaks.
‘But we all need to show patience and optimism and get behind everyone as much as we can until the play-offs next year.
‘If it’s bad news (in the play-offs), what will come will come but, until then, we will be working hard to be in a position to perform and get results.’