Kilmarnock

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

The new management team had little time to impose their ideas before heading for El Plastico on Saturday.

A draw was probably a fair result although once again the officials were the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons.

Don Robertson inexplicably failed to send off Livingston defender Brooklyn Kabongolo in the opening minutes then denied the home side a stonewall penalty in the dying embers of the game.

It was a game we really wanted to win but a draw was a poorer result for the struggling hosts.

There is a welcome break from league action this Saturday when Dundee visit in the Scottish Cup.

Neil McCann appears to be working hard to bring in some new faces and they are badly needed.

We still have the goalkeeper situation, we need an experienced centre-half plus we need wingers and another striker.

That's a very big ask in the January window but we must add some quality if we want to rescue this season and a wee cup win would be a welcome bonus.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Kilmarnock are in discussions with Rangers over a loan move for 19-year-old winger Findlay Curtis. (Rangers Review), external

Kilmarnock are keen on 29-year-old Heart of Midlothian winger Alan Forrest, who is in the final six months of his contract at Tynecastle. (Hearts Standard), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Watch Sportscene pundit Charlie Mulgrew discuss David Martindale's decision to make a substitute early on during their 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Livingston defender Brooklyn Kabangolo was booked for his first foul in the opening minutes but avoided punishment for two subsequent infringements before being replaced.

"He's very lucky," said Mulgrew. "Two out of the three [fouls] are bookings. It's one of the rare occasions in a game where you have to make a sub so early."

Mulgrew, however, also believes Livi should've been awarded a penalty after the ball appeared to strike Brad Lyons' arm.

"I think it's a clear penalty," added the former Scotland defender. "He lifts his arm towards the ball."

Watch highlights as Livingston draw 1-1 against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views after Kilmarnock drew 1-1 at Livingston on Saturday.

Here's what some of you said:

Tony: Hopefully coming from behind will give the squad a much need confidence boost. The manager now has a couple of weeks before the next league game to work with the squad plus our cup game next week.

Jim: All the talk from Neil McCann but nothing has changed. A non-existent midfield, a weak defence and forwards that are the worst in the division. We need new players fast.

Keren: Subs made a difference and Marcus Dackers' celebration showed how much the players care. Michael Schjonning-Larsen looked composed. Everyone is well aware of the issues we have this season but there has never been a lack of endeavour from players whose confidence must be rock bottom. If they are backed we have a chance of staying in this league.

Kenny: Referee bottled it by not giving their centre-half a second booking early in the game. That would have changed the dynamics of the game. It's clear that we need at least a couple of new faces in the January window as we'll be lucky to finish 11th with the current crop.

William: On the bright side we can look forward to cracking derbies between Ayr United next season.

Anna: A welcome hard earned point, had this been Kris Doolan still managing then we'd have folded like a pack of cards but the boys fought back to level the score. It's hard to judge McCann on one game but if he's able to make a signing in the transfer window and get the injured players fit again then I think we'll be okay, but time will tell. I would love to see Max Stryjek back between the sticks because he was a huge presence at the back.

Image source, SNS

Neil McCann heaped praise on Marcus Dackers after the striker rescued a Scottish Premiership point against Livingston on Saturday.

The Ayrshire side secured a 1-1 draw in McCann's first match in charge, with the forward scoring his first goal in 14 games.

Killie had gone 14 matches without a victory under former manager Stuart Kettlewell, while the Lions have now failed to win in 20 top-flight fixtures.

Connor McLennan opened the scoring for the hosts in the closing seconds of the first half, after firing home a Macaulay Tait cross at the back post.

Dackers then came off the bench to net his own rebound on 70 minutes, after home goalkeeper Jerome Prior had saved the initial strike.

McCann heaped praise on the forward for his impact, but conceded a draw was a fair reflection of the 90 minutes.

"The big man did exactly what we wanted from him. We were camped in a bit at that point, but he helped us get up the pitch," McCann said.

"He gave us stature and looked great and got his goal. That undoubtedly worked. But I was so happy with the players because losing the goal just before half-time was a sore one.

"I felt we were the team more likely to win at 1-1 and we were trying to get it, but a draw was probably fair."

McCann, who was appointed on Tuesday, was keen to highlight the character of his team after recovering from the early setback.

"We went 1-0 down so late in the first half, and that can have a detrimental effect on the group," he said.

"But I thought their character was brilliant. It shows I've got a group of boys in that changing room that have got a bit of character about them."

Neil McCann began his Kilmarnock reign with a draw that keeps relegation rivals Livingston four points behind them at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Read the match report

Have your say on the action

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "It was a tough game. I think it was always going to be a tough game given where both sides are in the league.

"I thought we showed a lot of character today, considering we went down 1-0 so close to half-time and up to that point I felt we were the better side. It was a sore one to lose right before half-time.

"It's been a difficult couple of days for them to adjust to a new management team coming in. At times, when we were put under pressure, we stood up to it. The character's there, the grit, determination's there. All in all you could probably say it was a fair result.

"We've got another 16 league games to go to get ourselves flying up the table.

"I loved it today. The frustration is you've got no real control from the side. I loved being back at the side of the pitch again."

McCann also commented on Brooklyn Kabongolo not being sent off early in the match. The Livingston defender picked up an early booking and then committed two further fouls before being substituted.

"I think Kabongolo's got to go," McCann said. "I just don't understand why he's still on the pitch. The fact that Davie [Martindale] makes a sub so early in the first half suggests that he knows he's not getting any more. He shouldn't have had that opportunity to make that substitution.

"The first one I'm told is reckless. The second one, he stops that player from going through by bringing him down and the third one's a tackle from right through him from behind.

"That's the kind of thing that you expect to go for you."

Image source, SNS

Livingston could hand debuts to veteran midfielder Scott Arfield and Estonia striker Alex Tamm.

Cammy Kerr is also pushing for a belated debut after recovering from injury, but Aidan Denholm, Shane Blaney (both hamstring) and Adam Montgomery (calf) remain out. Macaulay Tait returns after being unable to face parent club Hearts last weekend.

Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson is suspended while Tom Lowery and Marley Watkins are doubts.

Max Stryjek (heart), Kyle Magennis (knee), Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

New signing Michael Schjonning-Larsen hopes to bring "some calmness" to the Kilmarnock team as they battle to avoid relegation from the Premiership.

The Estonia international made his debut off the bench in the 3-1 loss to Hibernian after his move from FC Levadia Tallinn.

That defeat stretched Killie's winless league run to 14 games, and Schjonning-Larsen hopes his experience can help steady the ship under new manager Neil McCann.

"I have some experience from the national team and I believe playing against such players that are on the national team is top, top level," said the 24-year-old left-back before Saturday's trip to face Livingston.

"So I think I can bring some calmness into the team and not be too hasty with things on the field for example. Just experience.

"I definitely feel we have the quality in the squad and if we do get the one win I feel we can build on the momentum and keep going with this.

"Obviously it's difficult with having lost quite a lot of games so far, but I think if we can get the first three points, the rest will follow."

Image source, SNS

• This will be Neil McCann's first Scottish Premiership game as manager of Kilmarnock, and first at all in the competition since he lost 2-1 to Killie in his final game in charge of Dundee in October 2018.

• McCann is looking to become the first manager to win his first top-flight match with Kilmarnock since Paul McDonald as interim in October 2017 (2-0 v Partick Thistle), while the last permanent appointment to do so was Jim Jefferies in March 2002 (3-2 v Dundee).

• Livingston have only lost one of their past eight Scottish Premiership home games against Kilmarnock (W5 D2), winning three of their last four (D1) since a 3-1 defeat in October 2020.

• Kilmarnock have lost both of their past two league games against newly-promoted opposition, both to Falkirk in November (3-1) and December (1-0). Killie last suffered three successive top-flight defeats to promoted clubs in May 2009 (three in a row to Hamilton).

• Livingston are winless in 18 league games (D5 L13), their longest ever run in the top flight. Their tally of nine points is the lowest any side have had from their opening 20 games of a Scottish top-flight campaign since Partick Thistle in 2003-04 (also nine).

• Kilmarnock are winless in 14 league games (D3 L11), their longest run since also going 14 without a win from September 1999 to February 2000.

Image source, Getty

Alex Tamm is relishing the prospect of going up against his Estonia team-mate Michael Schjonning-Larsen if he makes his Livingston debut in Saturday's relegation showdown with Kilmarnock.

The 24-year-old striker, capped 19 times, this week joined the Lions on loan from Slovenian top-flight side Olimpija Ljubljana until the end of the season.

"One of my friends from the national team joined Kilmarnock and so it's really exciting," Tamm said of Estonia defender Schjonning-Larsen, who joined Killie this month from Levadia Tallinn.

"There is also the old Motherwell striker, Henri Anier, who I'm also really close to. Before joining here, I spoke with him about everything and he said this league would really fit me well.

"That helped me get to the final decision. They were really encouraging words towards me and so in the end, it made it easier to make the decision."

Tamm, who hopes his move to Livi will keep him in the Estonia squad, believes his "workrate" can help his new team in their quest to get off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

"I would describe myself as a player who gives a lot to the team and through that, I know that I will get my chances as a striker," he said.

"I'm two feet on the ground always, really trying to help the team, and my aim here is to help the team achieve its goals and then I know that through that, I can help myself.

"I believe that I'm really dangerous in the box, I'm really aggressive. I put in a lot of metres every game, I have the capacity to run and help the team in as many ways as possible and I believe that I'm a good finisher."

We asked you what transfer business Kilmarnock need to do under new boss Neil McCann this month.

Here's what some of you had to say:

James: If we don't bring in new faces and especially an experienced goalkeeper the new managers will fail. The existing players are not to the standard for Premiership football, and will probably struggle in the Championship next year. So Mr Bowie the new management team need cash from somewhere. A new turf and training facility will be useless if we are in the Championship.

Ben: We need a solid CB, midfielder who can hold the ball and actually tackle, wingers and better striker than what we currently have. New keeper would be good until Max Stryjek is fit.

Adam: Kilmarnock need four players at least, a midfield playmaker who can control the game, and shut teams down before they get to our penalty box. Also a goalscorer who is going to dominate the opposition penalty area. A powerhouse defender and a goalkeeper. The backbone to most successful teams!

Robert: We need a clearout of deadwood and to bring in a winger, a creative midfielder and a striker.

Gary: As we are sitting second bottom a new starting 11 would be great but that's not happening so goalie, centre-back, playmaker, at least one striker and someone to be a captain.

John: McCann and Billy Dodds will certainly be up for it. Might get players in because of their connections. Lyall Cameron from Rangers possibly. Killie not much worse than teams above them but will have to get points on board quickly.

Image source, SNS

New boss Neil McCann says he has "the answers in the building" as he looks to address Kilmarnock's poor run and guide them to Premiership survival.

The second-bottom Ayrshire side have endured a difficult season, only recording two league wins, and are currently on a 14-game winless streak.

According to McCann, the Killie squad have more ability than they've shown as he looks for his players to be bigger risk takers.

"I believe I've got the answers in the building," said McCann at his Rugby Park unveiling.

"I think if the boys are honest, they've underperformed to what they're capable of giving.

"That's not through lack of effort. Sometimes, as a footballer, I can completely understand. Every footballer will tell you that when things are against you, sometimes you take an easy route.

"I want the boys to play with a wee bit of freedom, a wee bit of bravery. It's up to us to allow bravery to happen. We need a wee bit of structure in place behind the scenes.

"What I mean by that is if I'm asking boys to take risks in the final third to try and get those goals, coveted goals that's going to give us wins, then I've got to make sure we're doing our work as a coaching staff to give information to the group behind it.

"We're solid enough that we can allow the guys in the final third to go and take risks."

McCann is joined at Kilmarnock by Billy Dodds as his assistant. The pair worked together last season under Barry Ferguson during his interim spell at Rangers.

"The enthusiasm that Billy will bring, all the boys behind the scenes, is going to be so important," said McCann.

"But again, they just need to find a wee bit of inner belief to know why they're in this position at a Premiership club playing for Kilmarnock. They're good enough to get results, so we just need to put it all together."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

New Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has been speaking to the media for the first time since taking charge.

Here are the key lines:

• McCann says he had no hesitation in taking the job despite Killie's struggles this season, sitting 11th in the Premiership without a win in 14 games.

• He adds: "I'm very proud to be given the opportunity. I know this would have been a highly-coveted job. And I know the position that we find ourselves in is a difficult one right now."

• With Killie facing bottom club Livingston on Saturday, McCann believes one win can make his side "catch fire" and spark a run of form to get them up the table.

• He hopes to add to the squad in January, but was given "no guarantees" from the board about new signings before he took the job.

• On Killie fans who may be sceptical over his appointment, McCann says only results will determine how he is viewed by the support: "I don't read social media. As long as my boys in the dressing room are engaging in what I'm giving them in the training field, results will dictate that."

• McCann says he has spoken to previous Kilmarnock managers for advice: "Jim Jeffries has been in touch, Stevie Clarke, Derek McInnes, guys that I feel that I can completely relate to in terms of their personalities, what they can offer. They've done great things here at the club."

• On the trip to face Livingston: "This is a huge game. Everybody else, and there'll be fans, our own fans, will say it's a must-win game. I understand the importance of it. But every three points, as Dundee have proved in the last three games, it can make such a difference no matter who you're playing."

New manager Neil McCann will be looking to bring in fresh faces this month to boost Kilmarnock's hopes of survival in the Premiership.

What business would you like to see McCann do over the course of the window? Which positions would you like to see strengthened?

Send us your thoughts here.

Image source, Jeff Holmes

Time may already be against "obsessive" Neil McCann, but the new Kilmarnock manager is not using that as an excuse.

Despite only being named as Stuart Kettlewell's successor on Tuesday, McCann has assured supporters will "see that work is already starting to take place" by his first game on Saturday against Livingston.

The 51-year-old, who was most recently assistant at Rangers to Barry Ferguson, is confident he and fellow ex-Ibrox coach Billy Dodds can turn the fortunes of the flailing Ayrshire club around.

Victory in the basement battle at bottom side Livi this weekend would be the perfect start for McCann and co.

"It's huge," McCann told club media of the trip to West Lothian.

"We don't have a lot of time but that time will be valuable and it'll be used well.

"The information I'll try and gather over the next couple of days is going to be so important, not only for my players but the staff as a whole to help.

"And then the supporters are going to be vital. I'm not talking about for me in terms of getting behind me, it's about getting behind the team.

"I'm hoping the support will see that - although there's not a lot of time right now to Saturday's game - the work is already starting to take place.

"I'm a bit obsessive by nature anyway, so it wasn't a problem to get my head into work.

"It started very early when I took the call to say I'd been chosen for the job, but that hard work going to continue."

We asked for your thoughts on Neil McCann being appointed as Kilmarnock's new manager.

Here's what some of you said:

Adam: Was hoping for Robbie Neilson. I am willing to give McCann a chance but can he walk the walk? Seems a bit desperate from Killie, but clearly our budget is like our balloons, our belief and our ambition: deflated and shrinking by the day.

Robin: I have absolutely no confidence that this will work with McCann and Billy Dodds but I pray I'm wrong. They don't have a proven track record and what we need in our current position is someone that can go in and shake things up. We desperately need attacking additions to the squad and I am very sceptical they can attract these kinds of players. Championship seems inevitable.

Garry: Potentially an excellent appointment. Well done to Billy Bowie and board. Let's all get behind him and move forward.

William: This appointment says more about our financial position than anything else. Neilson was the standout candidate but we went for the cheap option.

Alan: When something doesn't feel right it normally isn't. Mistakes were made appointing Stuart Kettlewell, and it looks very similar now. When the fanbase doesn't want you it almost always ends badly. Hope I'm wrong.

Robert: He can't be any worse than what we had. He needs to make positive signings in this window and his goal must be at least 10th. As a fan I'll be right behind him.

David: A horrendous appointment. The board preparing us for relegation. To go from European football and Derek McInnes to this in a short period of time is quite something.

Matt: Good choice but a hard gig to turn the season around.

Brett: Really happy with the appointment of McCann and Dodds - both know the Scottish Premiership very well and Neil is a really serious tactician. Realistically we would have struggled to get a better duo with any less risk.

Image source, Jeff Holmes

Neil McCann could have continued his "stress-free" life by contributing punditry and analysis on Kilmarnock's crucial relegation showdown with Livingston this weekend.

Instead, he will be in the away dugout for a baptism of fire as Killie boss.

McCann, alongside assistant Billy Dodds, is tasked with keeping the second-bottom Rugby Park club in the Premiership after succeeding Stuart Kettlewell.

The 51-year-old had a spell on the Rangers coaching staff for a few months last season but this is his first full-time managerial position since 2018 at Dundee.

And former Premiership midfielder Ryan Flynn is impressed by McCann's desire to plunge back into management.

"What we can say is Neil McCann must have a real hunger and desire to go into that job," Flynn told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I feel that he must have got that appetite from going back into coaching at Rangers. Something's definitely changed.

"He could be stress free, sitting in the studio talking about football but he wants to walk the walk, which is great, and I think he'll definitely bring that to the players. Just his enthusiasm towards the game, him and Billy Dodds.

"They know it's a difficult situation, the league table doesn't lie, it's going to be tough.

"But then the flip of that is they're probably guaranteed to at least finish second bottom. They'll go in there, try and get that belief back and try and chase those teams in front."

Kilmarnock are currently four points above Saturday's hosts Livingston having played a game more.

"There's no better first game than Livingston away. They're straight in at the deep end," Flynn added.

"Basics first and then after that can you get the victories and the points on the board."

Image source, SNS

Saturday's trip to Livingston throws Kilmarnock's new management team "straight into the deep end", says the club's assistant coach Billy Dodds.

The Rugby Park side announced Neil McCann as their replacement for Stuart Kettlewell on Tuesday.

McCann will be assisted by former team-mate Dodds and the pair, who worked together at Rangers last term, face a crucial match at the weekend.

Kilmarnock are currently 11th in the Scottish Premiership and have not won in 14 games, but they could end that wretched run with victory at bottom side Livingston.

"Straight in at the deep end and we're under no illusions what's required," Dodds said on BBC Sportsound.

"But we have a good squad of players, maybe a little tweak here and there, and we'll get on with it. It'll be tough, but it's a role we're very much looking forward to."

On the recruitment process, Dodds added: "It was all pretty quickly organised. Yesterday talks started then it was all done by this morning."