Kilmarnock

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Neil McCann insists "there's no panic" at Kilmarnock after three defeats out of three Scottish Premiership matches.

Killie have conceded 13 goals over losses to St Johnstone, Celtic and Dundee United, the latter of which won 4-0 at Rugby Park on Saturday.

McCann took over at Kilmarnock in January and helped the Ayrshire side stave off any relegation fears.

"Look, there's no panic in here, I understand the frustration of our fans, they want to see a positive start to the season in the league, we haven't given them that but make no mistake about it, this season is geared for a real strong season," McCann said.

"It's important that [the players] get the belief and sometimes that will only come from results, they believe what they're doing but they must take the responsibility to make that happen. Of course they believe they are a good side.

"My belief has not changed, my driver has not changed and the players know that I'm always confident. We're going to play in a way that I want to excite the fans."

The concession of goals is not so much a "concern" but "a very big annoyance", says McCann.

And he is "calm" about Kilmarnock's current situation, citing Wednesday's opponents St Mirren's Sunday 3-3 draw with Motherwell.

"Let's take St Mirren at the weekend, at 2-0 [to Motherwell] it could have quite easily been five," McCann explained.

"Within 10 minutes the shift in that whole mindset of two teams was enormous, you could see it, the sway of change in terms of St Mirren got a goal and then they got another and then they got a third and then they went to half-time and they're a completely different side.

"There are moments in football games, that's why I'm quite calm about it. There's moments in a game that can change but more often than not you have to make those moments and I believe we've got enough guys in the team that can make those moments without a question and it's having the belief; it's exercising that belief and making something happen for the right reasons."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Scottish Premiership meeting with St Mirren at Rugby Park.

• McCann says it was a "busy night for me, Saturday, busy day yesterday" following Saturday's 4-0 Scottish Premiership defeat at home to Dundee United, but feels United's Bert Esselink should have been sent off.

• The manager says the goals Killie are losing are not necessarily a "concern" but are "a very big annoyance" but he is not "getting carried away" after three league games. He "completely" trusts the work he is doing and insists the directions given to his players remains unchanged.

• McCann accepts supporters are "justified in their criticism of our performance and our results".

• The Killie boss believes his players must "get the belief" and "must take responsibility" to improve results but adds, "the panic comes from the outside, panic's not coming inside".

• On St Mirren, McCann highlights the "shift" in mindset of the Buddies and Motherwell in Sunday's 3-3 draw and says such moments make him "calm" about Killie's current situation.

• McCann believes St Mirren counterpart Craig McLeish has "been really brave" in his approach and is delighted he has been given his opportunity in Paisley.

• The Kilmarnock manager has not "even thought" about transfers because of Wednesday's game but adds: "The club are always looking for potential but whether our budgets stretch to that, I'm not sure."

• Team news: defender Robbie Deas is still being assessed after coming off injured against United; forward Ieuan Owen and midfielders Erik Ring and Aaron Tshibola are back.

Former Scotland captain Scott Brown assesses Kilmarnock's struggles in the Scottish Premiership so far this season.

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann is full of belief in his squad, despite three defeats in their opening three Premiership games.

Saturday's 4-0 defeat at home to Dundee United made it 13 goals conceded in those three matches with Killie sitting bottom of the Premiership table.

But the Ayrshire club have been relatively busy this summer, they've added seven permanent signings this summer and signed a further two players on loan.

When asked if he was hopeful of adding reinforcements before the transfer deadline on Thursday evening, McCann said: "I'm not even thinking about that right now, to be honest.

"I still completely believe in this squad and that what we're doing will bear fruit. I'm positive of that.

"I know it looks a bit vulnerable. When we concede a goal, you can see that maybe knocks us. But we need to just find that little bit of steel.

"I said to the players, you'll be asked questions because of the goals we've conceded. The goal difference doesn't look that pretty right now.

"The squad we've assembled is more than good enough to start picking up wins and, once we do, then we'll catch fire.

"We've had three defeats in the league but I'm convinced by what we've got. They just need to make sure that they're performing.

"The manner in which we want to play, I think, will get us great results. But that's not enough. If you want to play like that, you just need to show so much more."

Watch the best of the action from Rugby Park as Dundee United thrash Kilmarnock 4-0 for their first league win of the season. (Available to UK users only)

Killie fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Frank: Only one word to describe the performance. Pathetic. Completely devoid of any ideas all through the team. Neil McCann is trying out the midfield triangle which obviously does not work. Advice to McCann and his team, get back to basics 3-5-2, 4-4-2 formations or empty your desks and leave before you drag us down any further.

Johnny: Kilmarnock's defence and midfield tampered with again. No consistency and lack of any real defensive prowess, awareness, fight and aggression needed to contain an average Dundee United. Killie have no team spirit and are devoid of any passion across the pitch. Poor display all round, get your act together lads.

Anna: Totally inept performance matched with atrocious defending on our part. I know it's early in the season but to concede 13 goals in three games is a disgrace. Let's hope we manage to get a good solid central defender in before the transfer window closes because we sure as hell need to plug our porous defence and fast.

Iain: Clearly the diamond formation does not work as the goal count shows. The defence is MIA and the strikers have gone on strike. What you are left with is the hustle and bustle of midfield with little end result.

Eddie: Taxing for McCann. 13 goals in three games says it all, is our manager stubborn or just clueless? Persevering with a system his players cannot play or aren't good enough for. That Will Ferry ran 50 yards with nobody getting near tells its own story.

Gary: Looking back to 12 month ago this current squad is actually worse, which is shocking. We have been crying out for better defenders and unless we get any in over the next few days then it's curtains for Killie. After a great end of season it's looking like the manager has not got a clue.

A sensational first-half performance helped Dundee United to a resounding Scottish Premiership victory in manager Jim Goodwin's absence against pointless Kilmarnock.

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "I'm angry. I'm apologetic to the fans.

"We started the game fine then we concede a really poor goal from a set piece. Then the second one, just a bit maybe inexperience. The third one's a cracker. We started the second period well and lost a fourth goal.

"Too many goals conceded. We have lost poor goals again. It does stunt us a wee bit in terms of how we want to play and need to adjust.

"It's not a brilliant day at Rugby Park, to say the least. That's a sore one to take. The time for me to stop talking is probably now and then we look forward to try to put things right for Wednesday night [at home to St Mirren].

"It's very easy right now to be emotional about it. The guys know my feelings on their performance. I expect a reaction from us come Wednesday night.

"Words are cheap right now for me, to the fans and we'll get back to work tomorrow."

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Kilmarnock are expected to have a full squad.

The Rugby Park side have been out of action for two weeks.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin may miss the trip to Rugby Park after being hospitalised due to illness.

Will Ferry should return from a groin injury.

Image source, SNS

• Dundee United remain winless in seven Scottish Premiership games (D3 L4), the longest ongoing run of any side currently in the competition. They have scored just two goals from 94 shots and 8.35 xG in this period.

• Kilmarnock are the only side without a point in the 2026-27 Premiership. Their two games so far have featured 13 goals (four for, nine against), the second-most by any side in their opening two matches of a Scottish top-flight campaign in the 21st century, after Celtic's 14 in 2019-20 (12 for, two against).

• Dundee United have alternated between losing (five) and drawing (four) their past nine Premiership visits to Kilmarnock since a 4-2 win in May 2016.

• Kilmarnock are unbeaten in nine top-flight games against Dundee United (W5 D4) since a 4-0 defeat in November 2022 under Derek McInnes.

• Tom Lowery has four goal involvements (one goal, three assists) in his past five Premiership games, assisting a goal in both of Kilmarnock's league matches in 2026-27. The last Killie player to assist in three consecutive Scottish Premiership appearances was Chris Burke in December 2018.

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• Celtic have won their past nine league games. Only twice before under Martin O'Neill have they won 10+ in a row: a run of 14 from August to December 2001, and 25 from August 2003 to February 2004.

• Falkirk have lost 17 of their past 19 away games at Celtic in all competitions (D2) since a 2-0 victory in October 1994 under Jim Jefferies.

• Celtic have won 16 of their past 18 meetings with Falkirk in all competitions (D2) since a 1-0 defeat in March 2007, winning their last nine in a row. Only from March 1950 to August 1954 have the Hoops ever won 10 in a row versus the Bairns.

• In their last league outing against Kilmarnock, Celtic fired in 33 shots, the most by any side in a Scottish Premiership game since Rangers against Kilmarnock in May 2024 (41), and the Hoops' most in a league fixture since December 2023 (38 v Dundee).

• Falkirk have lost their past 13 league games against reigning Scottish champions by an aggregate score of 39-4 since a 1-0 win over Celtic in March 2007.

• Benjamin Nygren has scored in both of his Premiership games this season. The last players to score in Celtic's first three matches of a league campaign were James Forrest and Scott Sinclair in 2016-17.

• Falkirk are the only side without a goal in the 2026-27 Premiership, amassing a league-low xG of just 1.1 so far.

• Kasper Hogh is the only player to have attempted 10+ shots in the top flight this season (13), scoring a hat-trick against Kilmarnock last time out. He had nine shots in that game, the most by a Celtic player in a single league match since Liel Abada's 10 against St Johnstone in December 2021.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before his side's Premiership match with Dundee United this weekend.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• McCann would have preferred to have a game last weekend, but says it gave them a "wee chance to work on some things".

• Kilmarnock now have back-to-back games at Rugby Park and McCann aims to make it a "fortress", adding: "It's very important we try and emulate that [home form] from last season. We made this place definitely hard for visitors to come and play. Rugby Park, I'm hoping, is going to be something of the same as what we saw last year."

• New signing Cathal McCarthy could make his debut on Saturday and McCann has high hopes for the loan defender who he "had my eye on for a wee bit" and is "highly regarded" by parent club Hull City.

• Defender Jonathan Meier is also in contention for a debut and striker Djenario Daniels is "flying" in recent weeks as he returns from a lengthy injury lay-off.

• McCann says the season "feels as if it hasn't quite got going yet, but we're about to hit top speed in the next five, six weeks".

• Reflecting on his side's Ayrshire derby win in the previous game, he says: "To play in the manner in which we did, we completely bossed the game."

• McCann expects a "tough game" against United and says Jim Goodwin's side have changed their style from last season.

• With a week left in the transfer window, McCann is upbeat about recruitment so far, but stresses it will take time for the squad to fully gel: "The window's been good. It's going to take us a wee bit of time to pull together."

• He adds: "Not everybody's high speed yet, but we're looking hopefully to click up a couple of gears come Saturday against United."

Image source, Glentoran FC

Glentoran have announced the signing of defender Ethan Schilte-Brown on a season-long loan from Kilmarnock, subject to international clearance.

The 21-year-old made 18 Scottish Premiership appearances for the Rugby Park club last season and was named Kilmarnock's Young Player of the Year for 2025-26.

He has featured once more in the Premiership this season, taking his league appearance tally for Killie to 19.

The move will offer Glens manager Declan Devine additional options in central defence after the arrival of Zeno Ibsen Rossi earlier in the summer.

Schilte-Brown came through the youth system at MLS side Orlando City before moving to Scotland and joining Kilmarnock's academy.

He had loan spells with Cumnock Juniors, Albion Rovers and Dumbarton before establishing himself in the Kilmarnock first-team squad.

A Canada youth international, Schilte-Brown featured for Kilmarnock in their pre-season friendly against the Glens at the Oval during pre-season.

"This is a big opportunity for me and one which I am relishing. I am determined to make the most of my time here," said Schilte-Brown.

"You want to be competing at the top end of the table, challenging for trophies and playing in big games, and that was a major attraction for me."

Glens manager Declan Devine was enthusiastic about securing the player on a loan basis.

"Strengthening the heart of our defence was one of our priorities this summer and we did a great bit of business bringing in Zeno Rossi earlier in the window.

"The addition of Ethan not only gives us greater depth in that area but adds real quality as well. He has all the attributes we were looking for. He's strong, athletic and composed on the ball and has made a number of first-team appearances for Kilmarnock while also gaining valuable experience out on loan.

"Ethan has a real physical presence and enjoys the defensive side of the game. I believe he has all the attributes to be a real success in the Irish League."

Glentoran sit third in the table at this early stage of the new season, having beaten Limavady United and Ballymena United, but lost to derby rivals Linfield.

They host Crusaders at the Oval on Saturday in their next Irish Premiership game.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

I hate Killie-free weekends and can't wait until Dundee United come down on Saturday.

Having watched some English Premier League games on TV it's easy to see that they pay less and less attention to the fans.

The football is boring, the crowds are full of tourists on their mobile phones and the World Cup simply proved it's all about money.

I really hope Scotland doesn't follow the greed route - give me an Ayrshire derby any day before one of the English equivalents.

On the subject of derbies, United were well beaten by Dundee last weekend and manager Jim Goodwin is under pressure for a result at the home of football.

They look to have a decent squad but have not gelled as a team so far. Killie must take advantage but will need to tighten up in defence if we want to take the points.

We will be a threat to anyone going forward and we have a cracking record against United so I fancy a 3-1 Killie win.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Kilmarnock have knocked back a £150,000 offer from Burton Albion for defender George Stanger. (Daily Record, external)

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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Kilmarnock winger Scott Tiffoney has joined Raith Rovers on loan for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old has made 16 Killie appearances since joining last summer, scoring once.

His previous clubs include Raith's fellow Championship sides Ayr United, Livingston, Morton and Partick Thistle.

"The club thanks Scott for his professionalism," Kilmarnock said. "He goes with our best wishes."

Raith Rovers host Ayr in Saturday's second-tier fixture.

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Striker Bobby Wales says Dundee manager Steven Pressley has given him "belief" after moving to Dens Park on a season-long loan from Swansea City.

The 21-year-old arrives after fellow forward and Dundee captain Simon Murray, 34, was ruled out for an extended period with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Scotland Under-21 cap Wales started his career at Kilmarnock, had a productive loan spell at Alloa Athletic and then joined Swansea last summer.

He has made only five substitute appearances for the Welsh club, scoring once, and also struggled for game time on loan at Huddersfield in the second half of last season.

All in all, Wales has scored 21 goals in 84 senior appearances.

"I'm familiar with my surroundings and the league," Wales told club media. "I'm just really happy to be playing football again.

"I want to try and score as many goals as I can. I don't think I've had a chat with a manager that has given me this much belief before."

Wales could make his debut in Saturday's Scottish Premiership trip to face city rivals Dundee United.

"You couldn't ask for a better game to start with and go and make a statement," he added. "As a team I believe we can do well."

Pressley is "very excited" to be working with Wales.

"He's a young player with high potential and already a proven track record within the Scottish Premiership," said the manager.

"It's our job to make him a better player and we think he's got big potential and a high ceiling."

Burton Albion have made a six-figure bid for Kilmarnock defender George Stanger, who is in the final year of his contract. Daily Record, external

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Hull City centre-back Cathal McCarthy hopes to "set a marker" and prove he can play first-team football during a season-long loan spell at Kilmarnock.

The 19-year-old has joined for the campaign from the newly promoted Premier League side, where he made six appearances last term.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international said: "I spoke to Liam Millar back in Hull, who spent time here, and James Furlong who was on loan at Motherwell. Both loved their time in Scotland.

"I want to set down a marker, prove to everyone that I'm good enough to play regular first-team football. As for the team, we want to push up the table and do better than we did last season."

Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann added: "He's a player that we looked at in January. It never happened but we kept tabs on him.

"We've had lots of very positive conversations with Hull. They've had a great deal of interest - from clubs north and south of the border - to get Cathal out on loan because of the impact he had on their first team.

"He's a defender that's shown lots of promise in the early stages of his career, and we're hoping to play a big part in his development, like we did, for example, with Findlay [Curtis] last season, and what we're looking to do with Bailey [Rice] this year."