“I can’t say I’m ecstatic about the way we played. I don’t think the game was of the highest quality - either in terms of entertainment or in the technical aspects” was the manager’s frank assessment. He’ll find few who disagree.
In fairness, the four changes to the starting eleven were made with Thursday’s game in mind rather than a master plan to baffle Paatelainan’s men. A new striking duo was tried and it can claim some success as Casagolda played his part in Blackman’s goal. It was their first SPL start and there is a learning curve to be climbed.
Randolph prepares to punch
Page got a start at right back and after a shaky beginning he settled into his task. He was booked 20 minutes from the end and Craigan replaced him. Fitzpatrick played the whole game and he enjoyed his first start since January. Brown was impressed that he lasted he full ninety minutes and happy that he is now injury free.
Kilmarnock badly need finishers. They pressed our back line hard and Randolph had a fine reflex save from the head of Pascali but there was no flair on show hen they were close to our goal. Mixu acknowledged that they lacked the ability to get the ball into the net but he made it clear that the finances at Rugby Park severely limited his options. He was content with the way his team played for the most part and felt that “Motherwell got out of jail”.
The players have a few days to prepare for the big game on Thursday. A home fixture against Celtic follows on Sunday. Our small squad will be stretched with the repeated pattern of two games a week and the manager knows it. He let it be known that he hopes to add one or two before the transfer window closes – regardless of the result on Thursday. Naturally, progress to the group stage would give him the opportunity to extend his shopping list.