Kilmarnock boss defends sub replacement choice

Gros (left) was replaced after coming on as a late substitute at Pittodrie

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels had no qualms about replacing substitute William Gros as he searched for a winner in the 0-0 draw at Aberdeen.

The French forward was withdrawn five minutes from time - only 13 minutes after he had been introduced.

"He has strength and pace and I wanted to try and stretch them but he didn't give us that," explained Shiels.

"I wanted a tricky player on in his place as I wanted to win the match. You have to do what you think is right."

Matthew Kennedy was the man to come on for the unlucky Gros but the youngster could not help Kilmarnock break the deadlock in a poor game.

"People go way over the top and search for controversy," Shiels added.

"It was a decision that I made and you have to do what you think is right if you want to win a game of football.

"It hurts people at times but I can't go down the road of worrying about hurting people's feelings - I have got to win football matches."

The visitors did have a great chance to clinch victory in the final minute when Paul Heffernan was clean through.

However, the striker shot straight at Aberdeen goalkeeper Jason Brown.

Despite the lack of goalmouth action at Pittodrie, Shiels was happy with a share of the spoils.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," said the Northern Irishman. "It's according to the person and their perception of the game.

"I wouldn't say it was a hard game to watch if you are into football but if you are looking at the game to see shots on goal and great saves from the goalkeepers then it was bereft of that.

"We had the best chance of the game but to go away with a point, there has to be a certain amount of satisfaction with that.

"The point has got us into the top six and that is a positive we can take out of it."