Paatelainen was delighted with his side's display in the draw at Tannadice

Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen praised his side's display in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice.

Conor Sammon gave the visitors the lead, but Johnny Russell equalised 60 seconds later to earn United a draw.

"I thought it was a really entertaining game," Paatelainen told BBC Scotland. "The two teams passed the ball well and it was exciting.

"The existing players here have adapted to a new style of play very quickly, which is very pleasing."

Sammon drilled the ball home to break the deadlock on 22 minutes after a Mehdi Taouil through ball.

But Russell was quickest to respond to Prince Buaben's clever pass and equalised within 60 seconds.

"United started really aggressively in the first half and tried to press us, but we passed the ball round them," Paatelainen said.

All in all, I'm pleased because Tannadice is a very difficult place to come and get anything Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen

"In the second half, we controlled the game quite comfortably. We had chances to score, but unfortunately we didn't get that second goal.

"All in all, I'm pleased because Tannadice is a very difficult place to come and get anything. Today, we got a point."

Paatelainen said it was disappointing to concede so quickly after taking the lead.

"But, all credit to United, they had plenty of attacking options and we saw that today," he said.

The Kilmarnock boss has been linked with the head coach vacancy at the Finland national side, but he was keen to focus on his job at Kilmarnock rather than discuss a move back to his homeland.

"You heard our fans, again they were here in big numbers and the way they support the boys is excellent," he said.

"Hopefully, we can keep entertaining the supporters and giving them results."

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