Alessio: Killie must sharpen cutting edge

Kilmarnock manager Angelo Alessio says his side need to be more clinical in attack after failing to take a host of chances in their 0-0 draw with Ross County.

Having crashed out of the Betfred Cup on Wednesday in a quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat by Hibernian following 120 goalless minutes, Kilmarnock drew a blank for the second game in succession.

Killie were denied three points following an inspired display by Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw, who pulled off a string of impressive saves, including from a second-half Osman Sow penalty.

Alessio was pleased with the amount of chances his side created but knows they need to quickly develop a cutting edge.

He said: “The positive thing is that we created chances. I said before the game we have to improve in attack. Clean sheets are good but we need to show more in attack because we are creating opportunities to score.

“I think we need to be more clinical and to be more determined.”

Sow’s miss followed unsuccessful penalties for Stephen O’donnell and Niko Hamalainen in the Hibernian shoot-out. Asked if he will consider a change, Alessio replied: “I don’t know about changing the penalty taker – after this week we would maybe be doing it after every game!”

Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson was pleased to pick up a point on the road, which keeps them in fifth place in the top flight.

Ferguson said: “I’m happy with the result – this is a great away point for us. We had to work hard for it, that’s for sure. We maybe under-estimated how they would be feeling after going out of the Betfred Cup.

“We thought their energy levels and desire would drop a little bit after their efforts but that didn’t happen and we were definitely in a game. A draw was a fair result.”