Bruce says first weeks under Kilmarnock boss Alessio have been ‘learning curve’
Alex Bruce admits his first few weeks under new Kilmarnock manager Angelo Alessio have been a learning curve.Bruce re-signed for the club after the deadline to play in their Europa League games against Connahs Quay Nomads but watched on in anguish with the Killie fans as the Welsh side knocked them out.The shock exit has heightened the scrutiny of the Italian boss but Bruce believes the feel-good factor can instantly return with a good result against Rangers in Kilmarnocks Ladbrokes Premiership opener on Sunday.Bruce said: Yeah its definitely different but with a new manager, new staff and new ideas I wasnt expecting it to be the same.The manager has brought in fresh ideas and its been a learning curve.(The European defeat) was a massive downer for everyone involved in the club . No disrespect to Connahs Quay but we were expecting to beat them.I had a watching brief for the two legs and for a game-and-a-half it was all going to plan.But it was one bad half of football that has been a real kick in the teeth for everyone concerned here.After all the hard work we put in last year we all wanted to have a good European run. We were all bitterly disappointed to get knocked out at such an early stage.One sure thing in football is that you always get a chance to put things right and theres no better way to put a marker down and show what youre worth than against a top quality side in Rangers on Sunday, live on the telly.When you lose any game you want to have a positive reaction.Im sure the manager will back me up on that. Hell be looking for a positive reaction from the lads.Everyone was hurt by the result so to get a good result against Rangers on the first day of the season will be the perfect way to put that right.Bruce is set to come up against a familiar opponent in Jermain Defoe.Ive had a lot of battles with Jermain over the years, he said. Hes been a top quality player. You dont play for the clubs he has and to the age hes at now without being a top quality striker.Hes a clever footballer, hes got great movement in the box, and the reason why Steven (Gerrard) has taken him to Ibrox is because hes a finisher and a handful.Well have to be wary of him. Ive tried to kick him a few times down the years but Ive always enjoyed playing against him.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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