Kilmarnock

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Neil McCann expects his Kilmarnock side to find their "real cutting edge" again once the Scottish Premiership season starts despite finishing the Premier Sports Cup group stage with only two goals from four games.

The Ayrshire side were held to a goalless draw away to Peterhead in their final game, with the third-tier side also taking the bonus point by winning the penalty shoot-out.

But it was still enough for Kilmarnock to finish a point ahead of Hamilton Academical and Raith Rovers and qualify for Sunday's draw for the last 16.

"I thought we did more than enough to win the game," manager McCann told BBC Scotland. "We probably had eight, nine really good chances.

"The most frustrating thing and the annoying thing is that we have not taken one of them.

"We have lost on penalties, but I think the most important thing again was progressing."

McCann believes Kilmarnock can look forward with confidence to next week's league opener against St Johnstone.

"But, look, I am not going to kid the fans on that we are a polished article," he added. "We have got a lot of work to do without question in the final third, but we can do that on the back of progression.

"I think we showed last year that we are a team with a real cutting edge about us once we hit high gears and we click.

"I expect us to find that goal touch without question, but the flip side of that is that is four clean sheets on the bounce and that is quite impressive, I don't care what anybody says about the opposition.

"This section has provided a lot of problems for us because teams work so hard and they are ahead of us in preparation time because we have come back a wee bit later than them."

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Kilmarnock midfielder Aaron Tshibola has vowed to "pick up where I left off" after returning "home" by signing a new one-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club.

The former Aston Villa 31-year-old, who was part of DR Congo's World Cup squad this summer, spent the second half of last season with Neil McCann's side.

After playing a key role as they avoided relegation with a fine run at the end of the season, Tshibola has effectively started a fourth spell at Rugby Park, having first joined in 2018 under Steve Clarke.

"I've been around the world, but only one place truly feels like home," the central midfielder said in his unveiling video.

"I hear you singing my name from the back of the stands.

"It's an exciting new era for the club, new pitch, new training ground, new ambitions - and I'm buzzing to be a part of it."

The club added: "He was integral to the way Neil McCann's side finished the campaign strongly, securing the club's top-flight status in style."

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League of Ireland side Shelbourne have signed goalkeeper Eddie Beach from Kilmarnock for an undisclosed fee.

Beach, 22, joined Kilmarnock last summer after his Chelsea contract expired and made five appearances for the club before joining Derry City on loan earlier this year.

"I'm delighted to be joining Shelbourne," Beach said.

"It's a massive club with a big history and as soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew it was somewhere I wanted to be.

"I really enjoyed my time in the League of Ireland earlier this season and I'm excited to be back. I've seen the ambition around the club, the quality that's in the dressing room and the standards that are expected every day.

"I'm looking forward to getting started especially with the excitement for Europe around the corner."

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Neil McCann says the points were more important than the performance despite his Kilmarnock side having to wait until stoppage time before their winner against fourth-tier hosts Elgin City in the Premier Sports Cup group stage.

The Scottish Premiership side had to play 52 minutes with 10 men after right-back Jamie Brandon was red carded.

"I am really happy with the three points," McCann told Kilmarnock TV. "We could have been going back down the road with our tails between our legs having lost the game, going down to 10 men.

"The fact that we have managed to win the game should be enjoyed. It's all about getting through in the cup."

The narrow win follows a goalless draw at home to Championship side Raith Rovers, with Kilmarnock taking the penalty shoot-out bonus point.

"Jamie has made a poor decision, jumping into a challenge like that and, whether I think it's a red or yellow for being reckless, it's really hampered our chances of making it a more comfortable afternoon," McCann said.

"I think Elgin worked so hard, particularly in that period when it was 11 v 11 - and they continued to keep good shape to try to stop us from scoring.

"But I do feel the boys put a massive shift in. I was quite aggressive with my substitutions to try to win the game even with 10 men.

"They kept pushing, but of course Elgin are very organised under Stefan [Laird] - they made it tough.

"We want to play better, but the only important thing at this stage of the season is not performance, it's winning games and getting that mentality."

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Findlay Curtis wants to "showcase my talent in Europe on the biggest stage" for Rangers after living "every kid's dream" by playing for his country at the World Cup.

The 20-year-old winger became the youngest Scot to play at a World Cup finals when he came on a substitute in the victory over Haiti.

And he believes it was reward for pushing to be sent on loan to Kilmarnock.

"If you go and do really well, it will stand you in good stead and, even if you do bad, you get learning experiences," Curtis told Rangers TV after scoring the equaliser with a cross-come-shot in a 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs at their pre-season training camp in Spain.

"It's been unbelievable between January and now, going to Killie and doing really well and I couldn't thank them enough for what they've down for me and that leading to the World Cup squad.

"It was quite daunting at the start coming away from a big club like this, but you have to relish it and need to be confident in yourself.

"It stood me in good stead and I can't wait to get going this season."

Curtis joked that Kilmarnock started winning as soon as he arrived as he helped Neil McCann's side steer clear of relegation trouble and thought the biggest improvement was on the "mental side" of his game.

After an "emotional" exit from Rugby Park, he is back at Ibrox and aiming for a starting place under new manager Derek McInnes.

"You can't really sit on the bench at this age," he said. "You need to go and showcase your talent and I want to do that in Europe on the biggest stage."

As for his World Cup experience, Curtis added: "It's obviously every kid's dream.

"It was some experience going over there to America and hopefully there's more to come.

"It's a shame the results didn't go our way, but we'll be back, definitely."

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Neil McCann is calling on his players to back up the positivity shared among Kilmarnock fans by flying out of the traps this season.

The Ayrshire side get their competitive action under way with a League Cup group opener at home to Raith Rovers on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

Kilmarnock ended last term by securing their Scottish Premiership status with four straight wins, scoring 13 goals in the process.

Things looked bleak for the Rugby Park club when Stuart Kettlewell was sacked, and much of the support were underwhelmed by the appointment of McCann.

But the way in which McCann's men concluded the campaign has fuelled the fanbase with hope that they can have a positive season.

"It's about going again and understanding what we did last year as a group because we were in a bad position when I came in," McCann said.

"We not only managed to get ourselves out of the relegation and play-off spots, but we did it with a wee bit of style.

"It's important the fans come with optimism this year and hopefully we can back that optimism up with a really bright start to the season."

McCann also hailed some "really positive" transfer business by a "club that's gearing itself for the future".

He added that he will be looking to "make one or two more" additions to the squad.

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Greg Kiltie has been confirmed as Kilmarnock's new captain, with manager Neil McCann describing it as a "natural choice".

The 29-year-old was voted the club's player of the year last season after returning from St Mirren 12 months ago.

McCann said the attacking midfielder had "led by example", not just on the pitch but also with "his spirit, his demands and application levels in training".

"There were many who could have put themselves forward for the captaincy," the Kilmarnock boss added.

"But I just feel Kilts is a well-liked guy in the dressing room. It's an armband and a recognition of his importance to the club, but I'm looking for everyone to step up this year."

Meanwhile, former Kilmarnock defender Kirk Broadfoot, who made more than 100 appearances for the club, has been promoted from his role as youth coach to join McCann's backroom team.

Beveren have agreed a six-figure fee for 25-year-old Kilmarnock left-back Dominic Thompson, who will travel to Belgium to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms. (Sky Sports, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Kilmarnock head into the new Scottish Premiership season with optimism growing after a remarkable turnaround under manager Neil McCann.

In the latest BBC Scottish Football Podcast, Charlotte Cohen is joined by Sandy Armour of the Killie Hippo and Callum Scott from the Forever and Ever podcast to discuss how Killie recovered from a difficult start to last season and why supporters are feeling positive again.

The panel reflect on Stewart Kettlewell's departure, McCann's impact, the influence of January signings such as Joe Hugill and Findlay Curtis and a summer rebuild that includes the return of Mark O'Hara.

They also assess the move back to a grass pitch, the club's ambitious training ground project and what success would look like this season.

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Kilmarnock have loaned full-back Ben Brannan to Queen's Park for the 2026-27 season.

Brannan, 19, has made 34 senior appearances, including nine on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle last season.

Killie say the move has "the aim of gaining consistent first-team minutes to aid in his development".

"The club wishes Ben the best of luck for the campaign ahead," the Rugby Park club added on their website.

Scottish Championship side Queen's Park face Brora Rangers in Saturday's opening Premier Sports Cup match.

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Max Stryjek's late penalty save ensured Kilmarnock were 3-2 victors in their pre-season hit-out against Linfield at Windsor Park.

It was their second friendly in Northern Ireland this week, having beaten Glentoran 4-0 on Wednesday.

A youthful XI had Neil McCann's side 2-1 up at half-time, with goals from American teenager Cole Coughlin and former Spurs and Crystal Palace winger Roshaun Mathurin.

Killie put out a more experienced side in the second-half and, despite Linfield briefly restoring parity, Greg Kiltie soon had them back in front.

But they had to rely on Stryjek keeping them in front, with the number one saving a late spot-kick to hang on to the lead.

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Kilmarnock have signed Swedish winger Erik Ring from League One champions Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club.

Ring had joined Lincoln from AIK in his homeland in 2024 but made only eight starts, and 11 appearances off the bench, last season, scoring twice.

Having come through AIK's youth ranks, he went on to make 66 first-team appearances and also had a loan spell at Helsingborgs.

Kilmarnock state on their website: "His development through one of Scandinavia's strongest footballing systems has established him as an exciting attacking player capable of making an immediate impact in the Scottish Premiership."

He becomes the sixth summer addition to Neil McCann's squad at Rugby Park.

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Tyreece John-Jules marked his return from injury with a goal as Kilmarnock got their pre-season off to a flyer with a convincing 4-0 win over Glentoran in Belfast.

The striker had been handed a one-year contract extension after suffering a quad injury in February that ruled him out for the rest of the last campaign.

He came on as a half-time substitute at The Oval and scored after 65 minutes to make it 3-0 for the Scottish Premiership visitors.

Fellow forward Joe Hugill had marked his new contract extension by opening the scoring after only 10 minutes against hosts who were runners-up in the NIFL Premiership last season.

Ieuan Owen, the 20-year-old forward bought from Barry Town this summer, completed the scoring with seven minutes remaining.

Mark O'Hara, the midfielder who has returned from Kilmarnock from St Mirren, started the game, while Calum Ferrie, the goalkeeper signed from Queen's Park, and former Trencin forward Roshaun Mathurin came on for the second half along with John-Jules and Owen.

However, midfielder Bailey Rice was not involved after arriving on loan from Rangers.

Neil McCann's side next face Linfield, who finished fourth in the NIFL Premiership, at Windsor Park on Saturday.

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Kilmarnock have handed striker Joe Hugill a year's extension to his contract after "a sensational display of form in the final months" of last season.

The 22-year-old initially joined in January on an 18-month contract after leaving Manchester United but has now signed a new deal until summer 2028.

Kilmarnock point out that, despite "biding his time to become a key figure in Neil McCann's side", Hugill finished as the club's joint top goalscorer with Tyreece John-Jules after finding the net eight times in 15 appearances along with two assists.

"He quickly became a fans' favourite," they state on their website. "This form saw admiring glances cast in his direction early into his time at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park."

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St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara has departed the club and re-joined fellow Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock on a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old was out of contract after four years in Paisley. O'Hara scored 25 goals in his 142 St Mirren appearances, helped the club to three top-six finishes, European football and last season's League Cup win.

The midfielder began his career with Killie's youth academy and made 87 appearances for the first team before joining Dundee in 2016, where he worked with current Rugby Park boss Neil McCann.

"I'm delighted to be back and it's good to come back at this stage of my career when I'm a different player than when I left," O'Hara told Killie TV.

"This is the club that gave me my chance in football. I'm looking forward to a successful season ahead.

"I needed a fresh challenge. The club's in a good place and having had conversations with the manager, and working for him before, I knew he was somebody I wanted to work for again and that he'll get the best out of me. It's nice to be able to give a bit back to the club that gave me an opportunity."

Head coach McCann added: "He's an important signing for the team.

"As St Mirren's captain, he brings leadership skills. We lost Brad [Lyons], who had been a big presence around here, so it's important that we brought in another leader within the group.

"Mark I know well from my time at Dundee and he was absolutely brilliant for me. It was a long time ago but he's still got a lot to offer. He's a homegrown player with a massive connection to the club, which I'm sure the fans will appreciate and enjoy him being back."

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Kilmarnock have signed Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old has made 16 first-team appearances for the Ibrox club, one of which came last season in the League Cup.

The midfielder also worked under head coach Neil McCann and assistant Billy Dodds when the pair were part of Barry Ferguson's temporary Rangers coaching staff last year.

Rangers team-mate Findlay Curtis spent last season on loan with McCann's side, scored five goals in 14 appearances for the Ayrshire club and earned his first senior cap for Scotland and a place in the World Cup squad.

"It's a big club and we've got a good team," Rice told Killie TV.

"I obviously know the gaffer and Doddsy well, so I've got a good relationship with them. I'm looking forward to it.

"I've been close with the manager here throughout my career for different reasons. He's honest, he doesn't hold anything back and that's what I like.

"I've got good vision when on the ball. I'm hoping I can take that on to the pitch and take games by the scruff of the neck."

McCann added: "He's someone I've known for a long time, even in his younger days.

"When we spent time at Rangers, we played him against Athletic Bilbao and he came on against Dundee as well. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to continue that progress under the new management team.

"He's somebody that I've always kept an eye on and he's got so much to offer us. The challenge for Bailey now is to get into our team. That's a challenge I think he's going to embrace."

Midfielder Mark O'Hara, 30 has rejected a one-year contract at St Mirren and agreed a two-year switch to former club Kilmarnock. (Daily Record), external

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Kilmarnock have signed Roshaun Mathurin from AS Trencin in the Slovak Super Liga, with the 22-year-old winger saying manager Neil McCann is the "number one reason" for his switch.

The former Tottenham, Chelsea and Crystal Palace youth player has signed a two-year contract at Rugby Park.

Mathurin, who also played for Hartlepool on loan from Palace, made 15 appearances for Trencin after joining them in October.

"Towards the end of the season my agent told me there was interest from Kilmarnock and so I spoke to the gaffer," he told KillieTV. "He was the number one reason for joining. I like his style of play and that he used to be a winger himself.

"I'm looking forward to getting into positions to help score and assist for the team. I'm exciting, I like to get at opposition players and to be energetic."

St Mirren have offered captain Mark O'Hara a new contract, but the 30-year-old midfielder is also a target for Kilmarnock and has interest from clubs in Asia and Eastern Europe. (Kyle Gunn on X), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

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Goalkeeper Calum Ferrie is excited to "push and challenge myself" at Kilmarnock after joining from Queen's Park for an undisclosed fee.

The Englishman, 28, spent five years at the Spiders, making 199 appearances.

Queen's Park say Ferrie, who had a year left on his contract, expressed a "desire to explore any opportunities to play at a higher level".

Ferrie reunites with his former Dundee boss Neil McCann on a two-year deal at Rugby Park.

"I've worked really hard to get an opportunity like this," he told Killie TV.

"I'm really excited to get going and to be at a Premiership club. I want to push and challenge myself, and it's perfect timing.

"I've always known the size and stature of Killie in Scottish football. Being around the club, and speaking to others, I can tell it's full of good people."