Kettlewell's Killie still 'a work in progress'

BBC News

7 days ago

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell says his side are still a "work in progress" despite topping their League Cup group.Attacking duo Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels both scored, with teenager Ben Brannan bagging a brace against East Fife as they settled any lingering nerves from midweek.After a goalless draw midweek with Kelty Hearts, and missing out on the bonus point as they lost the penalty shootout, some of the Rugby Park faithful may have remained sceptical of the side's pre-season preparations. "By and large, I was [pleased]," he told BBC Scotland. "I thought we started pretty well, obviously a wee bit more ruthless than we were the other night. "We hit the back of the net a couple of times early in the game, and it starts to settle you down."My one wee frustration was there was a bit of slackness about us in the last 15 or so minutes. It's just to try to sustain the levels we've found throughout the game, but it's a work in progress, and we'll try to make that better."18-year-old Ben Brannan, who scored on either side of the interval, was impressive throughout the game, and many Killie fans are hopeful he will play a part in the Premiership this season."I hope so," Kettlewell added on if Brannan can make an impact this season."I will give young players an opportunity if they show the qualities to play at this level. Quite clearly, we see Ben has bags of potential."What's been great for him in that position he's been playing is he's been able to come off the left hand side and finish but his more natural side is on the right."