Kilmarnock

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Neil McCann has challenged his Kilmarnock players to secure their Premiership status at the first available opportunity when they host Dundee on Tuesday.

Killie's convincing 3-0 win over St Mirren on Saturday put them four points clear of the Buddies with two matches to play.

St Mirren travel to Aberdeen on Tuesday night and McCann does not want to leave anything to chance.

"Well, we will get two shots at it," McCann said.

"The way that result went for us on Saturday was massive and it's given us two opportunities, really, to have it in our own hands to do the job.

"We would like to do it tomorrow night, against Dundee, we know it's going to be tough.

"But the confidence levels I feel have been there for a long time.

"Sometimes you don't always get that reward with a result, but I think the boys were magnificent in the game on Saturday in a high-pressure situation – the way we played with a bit of freedom, bravery, calmness and it puts us in a good position tomorrow night."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before their league match against Dundee on Tuesday.

Here are the key points from his news conference:

• McCann hailed the massive win against St Mirren at the weekend, which means they have two opportunities to ensure their Premiership status. He stressed they would "like to do it against Dundee", but appreciates it is going to be tough.

• Was impressed with the "magnificent" performance on Saturday "in a high-pressure situation". Such a display builds confidence for the Dundee game.

• McCann says on-loan Rangers winger Finlay Curtis has done "a remarkable job", but says it is too early to say if he could return next season. "He's the type of player we'd love to have in the longer term, but unfortunately, we're not in the box seat to decide that."

• McCann believes Curtis is in Scotland's 55-man provisional squad for the World Cup, and hopes his performances for Killie will give him an opportunity to go to the tournament. "I would love to see him there, of course. And we'd all at this football club take a lot of pride in that if he makes the World Cup squad."

• McCann thinks Dundee might play some fringe players, and believes Steven Pressley "has done a brilliant job", especially as he was under fire at the start of the season.

• McCann is not planning for next season just yet - he wants to focus on Tuesday's match and get the job done before he looks ahead.

• Team news: Brad Lyons and Jack Thomson are back in contention. Kelle Roos is back on the training pitch, but probably will not make it tomorrow night.

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Hearts' Claudio Braga could win an awards double after he was shortlisted for the Scottish Football Writers' Association player of the year award.

The Portuguese forward is nominated alongside teammate Lawrence Shankland and Motherwell duo Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise.

The manager of the year award could also go to Tynecastle or Fir Park, with Derek McInnes and Jens Berthel Askou both nominated.

Falkirk boss John McGlynn and Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill are also on the shortlist.

Four Scottish players are in the running for young player of the year - Falkirk striker Barney Stewart, Kilmarnock's on-loan Rangers winger Findlay Curtis, Dundee defender Luke Graham and Dunfermline's Andrew Tod.

The winners will be announced on Sunday, 17 May.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Kieran O'Hara - Dundee

A clean sheet and a penalty save as Dundee safeguarded their Premiership status.

Findlay Curtis - Kilmarnock

A star showing from Curtis with two huge goals over fellow relegation rivals St Mirren.

Stephen O'Donnell - Motherwell

What a block to deny Lawrence Shankland. Gave everything for the Motherwell cause.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

There feels like there is so much more impetus about Celtic ever since the international break. Seasoned campaigners like Tierney have really come to the fore as Celtic make their final charge to defend their title. An assist for Maeda's first goal.

Jordan Obita - Hibernian

On the scoresheet in what was a big away win at the Falkirk Stadium.

Josh Campbell - Hibernian

Two well taken goals on the way to a big result which keeps alive Hibs hopes of catching Motherwell.

Callum McGregor - Celtic

A captain's performance as the Celtic leader marshalled his teammates to great effect throughout a potentially pivotal Old Firm victory.

Cam Congreve - Dundee

Another goal for the consistently excellent Welsh international on loan from Swansea.

Toyosi Olusanya - Aberdeen

Finally, his first goal for Aberdeen. Big moment for the former St Mirren man.

Lawrence Shankland - Hearts

Denied by O'Donnell, but you don't keep the Hearts captain down for long. When the next chance came along there was never any doubt Shankland would find the net. Could be a huge goal.

Daizen Maeda - Celtic

In a decidedly mixed season, Maeda was outstanding in the Old Firm derby. Time seemed to stand still as his stupendous overhead kick looped into the net behind Jack Butland. Maeda never stood still throughout this match, his energy levels saw him chase down Rangers players throughout. Two goals on the day and six goals in four games. Coming to the boil at just the right time.

Kilmarnock fans, we asked for your views on the 3-0 win over St Mirren, that put Neil McCann's side four points clear of 11th-placed St Mirren. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Keren: Brilliant whole team performance, albeit against a poor St Mirren side. Great to see Lewis Mayo and David Watson come back in and play so well, too - two players that have given so much the past few seasons and we will miss if they are coming to the end of their time at Killie.

Grant: When we hired Neil McCann, I'll be honest, I dreaded it. I knew he would want to play expansive football and I doubted whether we had the players to do so. However I did not foresee Tyreece John-Jules, Michael Schjonning-Larsen, Aaron Tshibola (who has been dominant), Joe Hugill and, of course, Findlay Curtis. He has really added to our squad with signings who have made an impact and, as I say, humble pie. Well done, McCann.

Frank: Today's victory could be described as that perfect performance, only a couple more goals would have been a better reflection on the score. Three gems against St Mirren - Curtis, Big Tish [Tshibola] and Mad Max [Stryjek], what a difference they made.

Anna: Given our poor away form in the past, I couldn't be happier with a 3-0 win and three priceless points earned. Brilliant all over the pitch but little Findlay Curtis was unplayable and he scored twice, too.

Solid at the back with big Max [Stryjek] in goal with nothing to trouble him. Beat Dundee next week and it doesn't matter what St Mirren do, because it'll be safety for us and play-offs for them.

David: Excellent all round performance by Killie, to a man! One of the poorest St Mirren teams for a long time but doesn't take away from the fact it finally clicked for Killie. Very pleasing and well done Neil McCann.

Mark: It's been a very long wait but that was the type of away performance we used to see under Steve Clarke at just the right time too, very enjoyable.

Findlay Curtis, currently with Kilmarnock, could yet agree another loan move away from Rangers next season as summer signings might keep the 19-year-old winger down the pecking order at Ibrox. (Football Insider), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "We came to really difficult place, full stadium, St Mirren would come at us. We were ready for it.

"I felt there was massive belief among the players. To get the win is so pleasing. We showed today how good a side we are.

"The fans have really come with us. We were in a difficult position when we came in. They've seen we're a good side and we're playing in an attractive manner that's engaging them.

"We showed in the second half how good we can be. It could have been four or five, but I don't want to be too greedy.

"We've not done anything yet. We've got a brilliant three points and we'll enjoy it."

Kilmarnock boosted their hopes of Scottish Premiership survival with a vital victory over St Mirren, which eases them four points clear of their relegation rivals in the play-off spot with two games to play.

Read our match report

Have your say on the game

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St Mirren left-back Declan John will undergo hernia surgery next week while the Buddies remain without the suspended Alex Gogic plus injured Dan Nlundulu (thigh), Shamal George (ankle), Ryan Mullen (thigh), Jonah Ayunga (knee), Malik Dijksteel (groin) and Keanu Baccus (Achilles).

Killie goalkeeper Kelle Roos is back from a facial injury and will be assessed while Kieran Wright remains on loan from Rangers as back-up to Max Stryjek. Captain Brad Lyons has returned to training after missing the win over Dundee United, but Tyreece John-Jules (quad), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) are sidelined.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has been speaking with the media before the crucial trip to face St Mirren on Saturday with both clubs looking to avoid a relegation play-off.

• McCann is "absolutely delighted with how the team have been performing" having moved out of the play-off spot and above St Mirren with a 3-0 home win over Dundee United last weekend.

• On away form being nowhere near as strong as at home, he says: "Saturday brings a brilliant opportunity to lay that to rest in what is a huge game."

• McCann insists he is "proud they've managed to get themselves into a position where it's completely in their hands," adding that he thinks "a lot of people doubted that dressing room" and "they're doing it in a style that I think our fans have completely engaged with".

• McCann says he never doubted his squad: "What I watched was a team underperforming that I could have an impact on."

• On the challenge they face away to St Mirren, McCann says: "They're a really good side. You can see there's a bit of fighting spirit there."

• Kilmarnock have sold out the away end for the game and McCann insists there is "nothing to be frightened of". He is seeking a "proper 100% performance" where Killie "take risks and try and win".

• He adds: "Whether we win or lose, I don't see it as a defining moment. I see it as a big opportunity for us and a big chance to go and show that we're a good side and we'll aim to try and win the game."

• Goalkeeper Kieran Wright remains on emergency loan from Rangers with Kelle Roos unlikely to be fit having sustained a head knock. Brad Lyons is back in contention after injury while Jamie Brandon remains unavailable.

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Max Stryjek, who is back playing after life-saving open heart surgery in November, reveals his his condition was a ticking time bomb he lived with for the past 10 years.

READ MORE: Stryjek 'never had doubt' about return from heart surgery

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• St Mirren have won just one of their past 14 Scottish Premiership games against Kilmarnock (D6 L7), winning 5-1 in March 2025.

• Kilmarnock have kept a clean sheet in five of their past seven Scottish Premiership visits to St Mirren, drawing 0-0 most recently in December.

• St Mirren have lost three successive league games and could lose four in a row for the second time this season, previously doing so across December/January.

• Although they are 10th in the overall table, Kilmarnock sit bottom of an away table in this season's Scottish Premiership, with just nine points (level with Livingston) and a goal difference of -24 (Livingston -20).

• St Mirren's Premiership games this season have featured the fewest goals of any side (78 – 27 for, 51 against). Indeed, the Buddies' 27 goals scored is at least eight fewer than anyone else.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Max Stryjek - Kilmarnock

A clean sheet for the keeper who underwent heart surgery earlier in the season - a remarkable story.

Findlay Curtis - Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann put him at right-back and it proved a masterstroke as Curtis scored when Killie blew Dundee United away.

Craig Halkett - Hearts

A giant performance from the Hearts centre-back in a seismic victory against title rivals Rangers.

Ryan Astley - Dundee

Solid showing as Dundee earned a clean sheet and a vital three points.

Stephen Kingsley - Hearts

Great reactions to grab that vital Hearts equaliser.

Yang Hyun-Jun - Celtic

Celtic were not scintillating again, but Yang was a bright spark against 10-man Hibs.

Brad Spencer - Falkirk

The captain set the tone as his side once again got the better of Motherwell.

Aaron Tshibola - Kilmarnock

Great overall performance at the heart of the Killie midfield.

Joe Westley - Dundee

A big goal that takes the heat off any Dundee survival anxiety.

Kelechi Iheanacho - Celtic

He brought that scalpel-like sharpness in the Celtic penalty box that the defending champions sorely needed.

Lawrence Shankland - Hearts

The Hearts captain underlined his credentials as an inspirational leader once again with a goal of seismic proportions. His ability as a striker is clearly never in question, but even by his standards the left-foot finish to sink Rangers was outstanding.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

I predict that if we played our 38 games at the Theatre of Pies we would be league champions.

Once again we were excellent on our own plastic as we saw off Dundee United once again, why can't we play them every week?

It really is no coincidence that our defence looks far more confident with Max Stryjek between the posts and with Aaron Tshibola bossing the midfield we look a different beast.

The big DR Congo midfielder has been outstanding since he returned in January and I reckon the manager's priority should be getting him signed on a long-term deal immediately.

His fellow January arrivals Joe Hugill and Findlay Curtis are also making a huge contribution so here's hoping they carry on their good form in Paisley this weekend.

A large Killie support will travel there knowing a Killie win will go a very long way to securing our Premiership safety.

It will be a tense, nervous affair but I fancy a single Killie goal will seal the points.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart says Rangers "must create space" for Findlay Curtis to get minutes at Ibrox next season.

The young winger has impressed on loan at Kilmarnock this term, scoring in Saturday's vital win over Dundee United.

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Watch the Sportscene panel discuss the magnitude of next weekend's encounter between St Mirren and Kilmarnock.

Read more: Play-off pressure piles up for St Mirren v Kilmarnock

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Watch the best of the action as Kilmarnock continue their fine home form by beating Dundee United 3-0 to move out of the relegation play-off spot. Available to UK users only.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock captain Robbie Deas paid tribute to the impact of teenager Findlay Curtis after the youngster's stunning goal helped the Ayrshire side to a crucial victory over Dundee United.

The Rangers loanee scored the second goal in a 3-0 win at Rugby Park which lifted Killie above St Mirren and out of the relegation playoff spot, and consigned Livingston to the drop.

With Scotland head coach Steve Clarke watching from the stands, the 19-year-old winger played the first half out of position at right-back before grabbing his goal when moved further up the pitch after the break.

"Fin's a fantastic lad," Deas told BBC Scotland.

"He comes in, he works so hard and he fits in so well. He deserves everything he's got. I'm delighted for him.

"He's got his [Scotland] call-up and his debut, but he knows himself that he still needs to work hard. You can see that today."

Curtis made his international bow in the last international window, coming on as a second-half substitute against Japan to play on the left wing.

During the first half of the season, while still at Rangers, he played at both wing-back and as an attacking midfielder.

"He's playing different positions, I don't know how many positions he's played today, but he's more than capable of it. He's a very level-headed guy.

"I'm absolutely delighted for him and I hope he keeps it up."