Kilmarnock

The Sportscene team discuss how manager Neil McCann has steadied the ship at Kilmarnock after an alarming start to the campaign.

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Watch all the highlights as Kilmarnock moved off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, and confined Motherwell to a fifth successive defeat with a victory at Rugby Park. Available to UK users only.

Kilmarnock fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's home win against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Adam: Unconvinced. Calamitous defending and looking vulnerable any time any team puts a ball into the box or lines up a shot. "We'll score four if you score three" may be chaotically entertaining but it's not sustainable

Frank: A long awaited home win, and not without some style. They changes the manager made all the difference. Jamie Brandon looks like he is back to his best. Lots of points available hopefully over the next few games.

Robert: Not perfect but brilliant to drive home with three points in the bag. You can see the confidence growing with several players getting back close to where they were at end of last season. Neil McCann was absolutely right to make the change at right back when he did, Brandon had best game and I really liked the young Welsh lad [Ieuan Owen] when he came on. Onwards and upwards.

Anna: A much better performance from the boys. They were solid at the back and kept creating chances to score. The substitutions were made at a time when we could make good use of them all, and not with minutes to go. I'd like to see them go to two up front again, but apart from that things aren't so bad. After a performance like this I'm hopeful for the rest of the season.

Doug: Killie are on the mend. Eight points from their last five games, when it includes visits to Pittodrie, Easter Road and Ibrox, is decent. Now they must take this form to Falkirk and Dundee and at least get something from both matches. Great to see Tyreece John-Jules looking like his old self again, Greg Kiltie leading by example and Brandon chipping in with a couple of assists.

Gary: Good to get the result but once again bad finishing and a lack of composure when it matters. If we took half our chances it would be top six with a plus goal difference. Need to give our new goalie a chance as I've got no faith in Calum Ferrie.

Hearts centre-half MJ Kamson Kamara, the 20-year-old signed from Lincoln City this summer, says Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann is helping him through a transition to right-back while on loan. (Edinburgh Evening News, external)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Kilmarnock inflicted a fifth Scottish Premiership defeat in a row on Motherwell in a five-goal thriller at Rugby Park to lift Neil McCann's side off the bottom of the table.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann tells BBC Scotland: "I'm delighted to come out on the right side of the result.

"It promised a good game of football. I did say I'd take a 1-0 but I'm really happy to take a 3-2. I thought there was a lot to like about the performance.

"[Management] It's not an enjoyable job sometimes but there's so much to like about it now. The first goal was a good counter, good press. We adjusted a few things at half time and I thought in the second half we completely deserved our win.

"We had so many other opportunities. We don't have to kill everybody through the middle and I think we were guilty of that at times in the first half so we changed at half time and tried to get the ball out wide.

"At times we had to dig in because Motherwell are a dangerous side but I'm pleased we're off the back of a home win.

"I thought we were up and running a few weeks ago. It's tightened things up [in the table] but I'm not getting too carried away.

"All I'm interested in is what kind of performances we're putting in and I think now it's group of players who believe they're capable of winning games. "

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Kilmarnock goalkeeper Max Stryjek remains out for a considerable period of time with a knee injury, but otherwise boss Neil McCann is pleased with the numbers available.

Motherwell welcome back Johnny Koutroumbis but Dylan Williams, Regan Charles-Cook, Oscar Priestman and Callum Hendry are set to miss out.

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MJ Kamson-Kamara is reading little into Kilmarnock's Premiership position as they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

The 20-year-old centre-back joined Killie on loan from Hearts until January 2027, but due to a fixture against his parent club, which ruled him out, and an extended international break, the Sierra Leone international made only his second appearance last weekend against Rangers.

The 3-1 defeat for Neil McCann's side, who were praised for their second-half performance where they missed several chances, kept them bottom of the table, one point behind Falkirk after eight games and with just a sole league win this season.

However, Kamson-Kamara, who made his Sierra Leone debut in an AFCON qualifier against Zimbabwe last month, said: "The league position doesn't mean anything at this stage of the season.

"We have played well, we just haven't got the rewards from us playing well.

"We're all confident, the gaffer gives us confidence and he believes in us and we believe in each other, because we know we're a good bunch of boys.

"So yeah, I think this Saturday we can start to really kick on.

"Since I've come in we've shown good glimpses, we've kept the ball at times and not got the rewards from it, and it's [about] starting to get the goals and keeping it tight at the back.

"I think if we start to do that, we'll start punishing teams.

"We had a good spell, especially in the second half (at Ibrox) where we could have finished some chances, but I think we can take some confidence from that game.

"I know losing 3-1 is not ideal. But we can take some confidence into the home game against Motherwell and hopefully get three points."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kilmarnock have announced the signing of German goalkeeper Nico Mantl on a deal until the end of the season.

Mantl has represented his country at under-21 international level four times, and is a two-time Austrian Bundesliga and cup champion with Red Bull Salzburg, where he played 11 times.

The 26-year-old has played in the Danish, Austrian and Portuguese top flights, having most recently played with Portuguese side Arouca.

He will provide cover in a troublesome position for Killie, who are without regular goalkeeper Max Stryjek through injury.

Killie had already signed goalkeeper Dave Richards earlier this month, but his move to Kilmarnock fell through after the English FA refused to grant international clearance.

The club have said the 26-year-old's signing is still subject to Scottish FA approval, the UK Government granting an international sportsperson visa, and receipt of International Clearance.

Image source, SNS

• Motherwell's Emmanuel Longelo has created the most chances of any player without an assist yet in this season's Scottish Premiership (14), while also ranking joint-fourth for most shots without scoring (12).

• Motherwell have lost four consecutive Scottish Premiership league games for the first time since February 2025 (5 in a row). It wasn't until their 29th league match of last season that the Steelmen suffered their fourth defeat.

• Kilmarnock have the joint-fewest points (1, level with Hibernian), joint-fewest goals (2, level with Aberdeen), and most goals conceded (11) at home of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have won three of their last four Scottish Premiership matches against Kilmarnock (D1), as many as their previous 12 beforehand (W3 D5 L4).

• Kilmarnock have lost both of their last two league games against Motherwell, last losing three in a row in September 2017.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before their home match against Motherwell this weekend.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Despite their valiant performance in their away loss to Rangers, McCann doesn't want his side to think that a performance alone is good enough, saying: "I don't want us to be the team that gets a pat on the back and is told, 'You were good today', and you're leaving Ibrox thinking that's okay. It's not okay where we want to be."

• McCann says he "still [has] an issue with the second one [goal] in terms of handball," but overall he added: "The manner in which we played was really pleasing. It's been a long time since I've seen an opposition go to Ibrox and create as many clean-cut chances and that's in my previous job as well."

• After an early season slump, Killie's form has improved, with McCann now hoping his team can take charge in games as they continue to plot their way off the bottom of the table: "It's getting in front and that's the task I'm charging the team with. You don't want to give teams starts. We've done it too many times this season. It makes it so difficult."

• While some key first-team players were away on international duty, McCann is now relishing a full week of preparation with the whole quota ahead of Motherwell's visit: "Having a full preparation week has been really, really positive for us. We had a number of boys play in the KDM Trophy on Tuesday night, so they're getting game time as well."

• On the current state of his squad's readiness, he adds: "Great, really quite chunky in terms of numbers, but it's brilliant. We always have young boys in amongst that as well to make them familiar with the group, and they're coming on a tonne."

• Visitors Motherwell are on a run of four straight defeats, but McCann knows his side will face a tough test: "This is a league that any team can show their true potential at any moment."

• McCann was full of praise for the impact home fans can have at Rugby Park: "The fans made a big impact that night [home draw against Hearts] and I hope that they're coming out."

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Killie returned from the extended international break but rediscovered some bad habits as they lost at Ibrox.

We are bottom of the table thanks to losing a shed load of very soft goals in the opening weeks.

We had stabilised in defence once the manager sorted out his formation, however we reverted to type on Saturday and paid the price.

Neil McCann wants us to play in a progressive and attacking style, but he quickly needs to find a balance between playing on the front foot while remaining tight in defence.

On another day we may have scored three or four ourselves, but the game was over at half-time as we were already three down.

The next four games are massive for everyone but especially for the management team. If we can grab at least seven points we will be halfway up the table, however if we are still in 12th after these games the pressure will mount.

Motherwell come calling this weekend and three points would give everyone a lift. I'll predict a 2-0 Killie win.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

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Former leading referees Dermot Gallagher, Bobby Madden and Mark Clattenburg have dismissed Neil McCann's complaints over Kevin Kelsy's goal in Rangers' 3-1 against Kilmarnock.

McCann felt the Rangers striker handled the ball on the ground before netting his side's second goal in the game at Ibrox.

But the former officials don't feel there's enough evidence to back up McCann's claims.

On Sky Sports News' Ref Watch, Gallagher said: "Does it rebound off the defender on to his hand? I don't know, we can't see there.

"But what I would say, if you're not certain, it's got to be a goal. You can't go penalising goals on the maybe."

While speaking on his So Near, Yet So VAR show on YouTube, Madden added: "I've been through the images in super slow motion. You can see the ball come in and Kelsy takes the contact on his chest. The next contact comes off the foot of the Kilmarnock defender and then the spin on the ball forces the ball to fall directly in front of Kelsy, and his arms are out.

"For me, I actually don't believe that it does strike his arm. Even if it does strike the arm, there's no clear footage to show that it does. So there's no way that VAR can intervene."

And Clattenburg agreed, adding: "There's no clear evidence here – keep with the onfield decision."

Watch the Sportscene panel analyse Kilmarnock's chances against Rangers in their 3-2 defeat at Ibrox. Available to UK users only.

Watch the best of the action from Ibrox as Rangers extend their winning run to seven games with a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 3-1 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox.

Here are some of your comments:

Gary: Poor defending, poor finishing, story of the season so far and the international break did nothing to fix it. I think we will be saying the same come May.

Ronnie: We lost three cheap goals but I have never seen us create so many chances at Ibrox without scoring. We could have scored three or four easily. Dominated the second half and while people will say Rangers took their foot of the gas, absolutely not. A lot to be positive about there.

Jim: The game was over when the third goal went in. Let's not kid ourselves. Regardless of how well we played we lost 3-1. The defensive frailties are still there, our midfield lose the ball too easy and our attackers miss too many chances. We also have a problem with the goalie - he cannot handle pass backs. So what's changed?

Anna: Defensively we were atrocious in that first half, gifting Rangers three goals. There were chances in the second half yet we couldn't make them count. I didn't think we'd get anything from Rangers, the only criticism of Neil McCann I have is why when we were chasing the game did he not look to his subs until the 78th minute?

Doug: I was heartened by the second-half performance but the goals conceded earlier were very disappointing. Did Rangers try to coast through the second half or were Killie much improved? The next four matches will reveal if McCann truly has the team moving in the right direction: Motherwell at home, Falkirk and Dundee away and St Johnstone at home.

Andrew: It's a long time since Killie played so well at Ibrox. Passing was so much better. Very few kick-and-hope-for-the-best balls. We looked like a team who knew what they were doing. Rangers goals were soft. Excellent goal from Nicky Clescenco. Killie had more shots on target. Very unlucky not to get something from the game. Play like this and we will win games!

Rangers reached the Scottish Premiership summit for the first time this season and extended their league winning run to six games with victory over bottom side Kilmarnock.

Read the match report

Have your say

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "We gifted Rangers three goals. I've got a real probelm with the second one - I think it's a handball.

"We gave Rangers a 3-0 lead but there was still lots we did well in the first half.

"At 2-0, you've got two gilt-edged opportunities and we haven't worked the goalkeeper. At half-time, I had a few words to the team and we've come out and dominated the game.

"Rangers are a good team and I knew it would be difficult but I want us to play with the bravery we showed in the second half from the start.

"It's not good enough to just win the second half. They have to believe in how good they can be. At 3-0 at Ibrox, it's easy to go under and they never did.

"It's very early in the season and the long international break has disrupted our rhythm. We need to start winning games of football and I believe we will."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Neil McCann knows a "massive" challenge awaits on Saturday against a Rangers side brimming with confidence, but says Kilmarnock will head to Ibrox firmly believing they can secure three Premiership points.

Rangers were on a six-match winning run before the international break, including back-to-back victories over Celtic in the League Cup quarter-final and Premiership.

"I just feel like they're in a brilliant place probably mentally which is, anybody that's been involved with Rangers will tell you, that's a big part of the job there," said McCann.

"So we know we'll get a really difficult game coming up at Ibrox, but they've probably suffered maybe a wee bit bigger than us in terms of their international numbers away. So not any different in terms of their broken preparation.

"We need to be at our best if we want to get something from the game."

Killie remain bottom of the table after a difficult start, but McCann saw enough from his side in the away victory over Hibernian and home draw with Hearts just before the break to head to Ibrox with confidence.

"I've never been one to be frightened of a challenge in terms of taking any team anywhere," he said.

"I always have full belief in what we've got in our dressing room. I think we know who we are as a group now. We've found a wee bit of confidence within ourselves in what we want to do.

"I think there's a knowledge there and realisation in what we want to do because of the new guys coming in.

"And we'll set up to try and go and win the game as normal, but it's going to be tough. There's no way we're going to Ibrox not believing we can win, but we'll have to be at our very best."

• Rangers have won their past five league games, conceding just one goal in the process. They could win four successive league matches without conceding for the first time since December 2024.

• After losing their first four league games of the season, Kilmarnock have since avoided defeat in three (W1 D2).

• Rangers have won their past five league meetings with Kilmarnock, scoring 3+ goals each time.

• Kilmarnock have lost 10 consecutive league visits to Ibrox since a 1-1 draw in March 2019 under Steve Clarke.

• Rangers have won 15 of their past 17 top-flight home matches against sides starting the day bottom of the table (D1 L1), including eight in a row since a 1-0 defeat to Hamilton in March 2020.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before Kilmarnock's trip to face Rangers in the Premiership on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here's the key lines from the Rugby Park manager:

• On goalkeeper Dave Richards' proposed move to Rugby Park falling through, McCann says: "There's been a wee bit of a situation arisen that is out of our control, and was outside our knowledge actually as well, but it's been pointed out to us."

• He adds: "I don't want to go into too much detail just now, because I think it would be unfair on the boy himself, but unfortunately he's not able to join us."

• It leaves Killie light in the goalkeeper department following an injury to Max Styjek, who will be out for "quite a considerable bit of time". McCann adds: "If I know Max, given his last return to duty, he'll be pushing so hard to get back as quickly as possible, but it'll be a huge hole in our squad just now."

• McCann says it's "frustrating" the extended international window arrived just as Kilmarnock had started to pick up form: "There was definitely large elements of performances, even ones that we lost, that we knew were coming. It's hard not to look back and see where we were, but it's almost like a completely fresh start."

• A huge test awaits at Ibrox against a Rangers side full of confidence. McCann says: "I just feel like they're in a brilliant place probably mentally, which is, anybody that's been involved with Rangers will tell you, that's a big part of the job there. So we know we'll get a really difficult game coming up at Ibrox. We need to be at our best if we want to get something from the game."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Are underlying numbers from the start of the Scottish Premiership season suggesting a refreshed approach could be taking hold across the league?

Well, the success stories at Motherwell and Falkirk last season seem to have had an influence.

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin was humble enough to reveal that Jens Berthel Askou - now head coach at Toulouse in Ligue 1 - has inspired him to change his ways after more than 15 years as a player and manager in Scotland.

Goodwin's side are one of a number of Premiership teams to have undergone a stylistic shift this term, and that is reflected in the league's overall numbers, albeit the sample size remains small after just seven matches for each club.

Compared with the previous five Scottish top-flight seasons, passes per game have soared to 886. That is an increase of 58 on last term. Five years ago, the average was 795.

Passing accuracy is also at a high of 81%, which is quite a remarkable increase on the 73% recorded in 2023-24.

That is down to more short passing. The percentage of long passes across the league (13%) is now at its lowest level of the past five years. Perhaps surprisingly, Hearts and Rangers go long more than any other teams.

Goodwin's United, meanwhile, have gone from average possession of 42% last term to 50% this season. Their accurate passes per match have rocketed from 219 to 320.

It is a similar story for St Mirren under Craig McLeish and Neil McCann's Kilmarnock, while league leaders Celtic and Alfred Johansson's Motherwell are locked at the top of the possession chart on 61%.

The promotion of St Johnstone back into the league, replacing Livingston, has added another side who aim to play a more expansive brand.

The recent appointment of Dutch head coach Marink Reedijk at Hibernian will only enhance that.

Read more: Why early-season data points to Premiership style shift