Kilmarnock

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• Dundee United are winless in seven Scottish Premiership meetings with Kilmarnock (D3 L4) since a 4-0 triumph in November 2022.

• Kilmarnock have won two of their last three top-flight visits to Dundee United (D1), as many as their previous 24 beforehand.

• After their 3-2 win over Falkirk, Dundee United are looking to pick up back-to-back league victories for the first time this season. However, they have lost their last two home matches in the Scottish Premiership, last losing more in a row in the competition in March 2023 (four).

• Kilmarnock have conceded at least three goals in each of their last three league games. The last side to ship 3+ goals in four successive Scottish Premiership matches were Hamilton in November 2020, while Killie themselves last did so in May 2015.

• Kilmarnock's Tyreece John-Jules has both scored (six) and been directly involved (eight - six goals, two assists) more Scottish Premiership goals in 2026 so far than any other player. John-Jules has four goals and one assist in Killie's last two league matches.

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Neil McCann has been speaking before Kilmarnock face Dundee United at Tannadice in the Premiership on Saturday.

Here are the key lines:

• McCann said Tyreece John-Jules' is "feeling better" after coming off against Celtic. The striker, who scored in the 3-2 defeat and also netted a hat-trick against St Mirren, will have a scan assessed but may miss this weekend's game. McCann said: "I don't know about Saturday and don't want to put pressure on".

• The Kilmarnock boss said he hasn't spoken to the Scottish FA about the time added on during Sunday's game, which allowed Celtic to net the winner, insisting his post-match comments had been blown out of proportion. "I never made a big deal of it," he said. "And I said we had the same time as Celtic. We conceded late and I was really angry about that, mixed with disappointment, and only because I felt we deserved something from the game".

• He said there was no need to lift spirits after the dramatic defeat, and that his side had "given Celtic their hardest game domestically this season". After a couple of days off, he said there was a debrief and then "a great day's training" preparing for United.

• McCann believes his side "went up another level against Celtic" after being pleased with recent displays. He spoke to players about where the bar needed to be set and "week on week we've started to improve performances". However, he added that "sometimes results don't always come from that".

• Looking ahead to the trip to Tannadice, the manager said United would provide "a difficult challenge.". He said he had watched their Cup win over Spartans and the Premiership victory over Falkirk and seen a "well-organised" team, who are on the back of good results. McCann says the pitch at Tannadice, which has suffered under heavy rain, will affect both teams.

• On the club's recent update about their new purpose-built training base, McCann believes the development is "massive for the long term future of Kilmarnock" but will also help attract players. "Lots of clubs don't have that luxury and it helps put Kilmarnock at top end of division in terms of facilities," he said, adding: "But the club needs to be in Premiership".

• He also says going back to a grass pitch at Rugby Park is "the way to go" and that Kilmarnock traditionally had one of the best surfaces in Scotland.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

It's been a mad week for Kilmarnock fans who have gone through every emotion whilst watching our famous old club.

We had the joy of beating St Mirren, the frustration of losing a two-goal lead to Celtic and the agony of seeing Tyreece John-Jules limp off with a potentially serious injury.

There is no doubt that Neil McCann has had a very positive impact and we are playing some excellent football going forward. Sadly our defending is costing us big time and that needs to be urgently addressed by the new management team.

Our priority in the January window should have been an experienced centre half and our bad habit of losing very soft goals could yet prove to be our downfall.

The loss of Tyreece is a massive blow as he has emerged as a class act who was hitting the net on a regular basis.

We can only hope the injury isn't as bad as it initially appeared and he returns to the battlefield for the end of season scrap.

We are off to Tannadice this weekend, Dundee United hate the sight of us so I'll predict another Killie win up there.

Sandy Armour editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

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Neil McCann admitted his ire at Kilmarnock's late collapse against Celtic, as they went from leading the reigning league champions 2-0 to losing in the dying seconds.

The hosts at Rugby Park dominated the first-half, with striker Tyreece John-Jules in particular impressing, before conceding three in the second period that left them empty-handed.

"I'm angry," admitted McCann. "Of course I'm angry. I'm so disappointed because I truly believe that we deserved something from the game.

"It's taken a bit of brilliance from [Sebastian] Tounekti to get them back into the game."

"The second goal, it's so disappointing. We lost three goals against St Mirren, where it was just second balls bouncing in the box and we didn't deal with it."

Benjamin Nygren profited for the second, capitalising on slack Kilmarnock defending from a long throw into the box.

The third came down the left-hand side, with the ball cut back to full-back Julian Araujo who fired home from close range.

"But the last one's the most sore because it's right at the end of the game and there's a minute left.

"I'd have been disappointed coming off with a point, to be honest, but the anger comes from not seeing that out and getting at least a point.

"I'm sitting here thinking I'm absolutely gutted we got nothing from the game."

Two Celtic stars, duos from Dundee and Dundee United, and a pair from Motherwell. It's time for Jonathan Sutherland's team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers. Sallinger gets the nod for a couple of stops and a clean sheet. An overall impressive addition at Easter Road.

Julian Araujo - Celtic

What a big goal. Ended up in hospitality with his celebration, but it was a big moment.

Stephen Welsh - Motherwell

Outstanding again after his goalscoring heroics midweek. An assist for Just as well. Not sure what Celtic don't see in him.

Ross Graham - Dundee United

Goal and a doughty warrior at the back. His four touches in the opposition box was only bettered by teammate Kristijan Trapanovski, while he made more clearances than any other player.

Cameron Congreve - Dundee

A continuous threat down the right for the Dark Blues. What a good loan signing he has been by Steven Pressley. Took eight shots and created three chances.

Craig Sibbald - Dundee United

Pulled the strings in midfield and scored a vital goal. Set up four chances, the most of any United player, and won more duels than any of his teammates.

Elijah Just - Motherwell

For me, Elijah Just has to be in with a shout of player of the season. The New Zealand international has been consistently excellent, showing guile, creativity and goalscoring ability. On the scoresheet again this weekend, against Aberdeen. Ghosts around the pitch with elegance, class and endeavour.

Sebastian Tounekti - Celtic

Loves Rugby Park. Great on his debut there, scored there against Auchinleck Talbot and sparked Celtic's comeback on Sunday with a goal of the season contender.

Simon Murray - Dundee

Murray in a hurry at Dens Park. After a barren spell, the Dundee captain looked pumped for action with his quick fire double.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Michael Stewart told me on Sportscene he doesn't think Chermiti has the potential to be a top striker. But he has scored six of his seven goals this season against Celtic and Hearts, including his hat-trick yesterday on what was a huge occasion.

The challenge for the 21-year-old is to start delivering this sort of performance more consistently against the other sides in the Premiership.

Tyreece John-Jules - Kilmarnock

The former Arsenal youth - and nephew of Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules - was a force of nature for Kilmarnock against Celtic, following on from his midweek hat-trick.

Scored a great goal, clipped the crossbar from a free-kick and just generally showed star potential. Such a shame he limped off with what looked like a thigh muscle strain.

We asked you Kilmarnock fans what you made of the painful 3-2 loss to Celtic on Sunday afternoon. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Adam: Outstanding first half, but the substitutions weren't too clever. We should have strengthened the midfield to block them off, as we did in the first half. I'm sorry to say we were down to 10 men when Marcus Dackers came on. He's just not good enough.

Gary: Worthy of a point, maybe more, but the quality on the benches was the big difference between the teams. Maybe if we had signed a couple of better centre-backs, like all Killie fans were praying for, in the transfer window then it would've been a victory.

Bill: Bitterly disappointed, and angry. Played really well, full of purpose and determination in first half, then showed how poor we are defensively. We lost five goals against Rangers, then three against St Mirren and another three against Celtic.

A big job for the management to teach them how to defend. Thought Rory McKenzie would have been a better substitution than Marcus Dackers, who I see as being totally inadequate. Get defence sorted and we could be ok.

Iain: Once again, some of the defence could not provide the quality that the midfield and attack provided. The exception was Dom Thompson who remained strong. Yes, it is Celtic, but the first half showed we can compete. It was mixed after that and composure was lacking in defending. They must learn not to stand off. Overall it is still an improvement.

Anna: Gutted to lose like that but immensely proud of the performance and that we frustrated the hell out of Celtic for two thirds of the game. Good team selection from Neil McCann, substitutions at the right time too but only thing missing was the result.

I saw enough heart, spirit and 'never-say-die' attitude from the boys. If we keep performances like that up, I am confident we will soon be clear of 11th place.

Celtic recover from a two-goal deficit to secure a late Scottish Premiership win at Kilmarnock (UK users only).

Kilmarnock suffered late heartbreak as Celtic came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Rugby Park.

Manager Neil McCann was left angry at his side's inability to get anything from a game despite praising their performance.

We want your thoughts.

Read the match report.

Give us your thoughts.

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Asked if he is devastated by the defeat by Celtic, Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann told BBC Scotland: "I am just angry. It is a sore one to take.

"Lost a game when I thought we deserved something out of it.

"There's a lot of disappointment there - so many good things within the match for us.

"Two-nil up at half time, I thought we were brilliant. Probably could have had a couple more.

"But we spoke about it at half time that Celtic would have a real push and have a go at it.

"They made half-time substitutions, brought on a lot of quality and, when it got back to 2-2, it is just about managing the game properly.

"It is an enormous amount of added time - seven minutes. I'm not sure where they got that from."

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann reflected on Martin O'Neill's ability to get his teams over the line as he prepares to renew rivalries with the Celtic boss.

McCann was a Rangers player during the first three years of O'Neill's initial spell in charge at Celtic Park, and will come up against the Northern Irishman again when the Premiership champions visit Rugby Park on Sunday, this time in the opposition dugout.

O'Neill's arrival in 2000 was the catalyst for Celtic becoming Scotland's dominant team, although McCann helped Rangers win the treble in 2003, when the Hoops reached the Uefa Cup final.

The 73-year-old appears to have retained his ability to instil a winning mentality in his team either side of Wilfried Nancy's brief and chaotic reign.

Celtic have only lost once in 17 games under O'Neill this season and have won 14 of those matches. They were down to 10 men in their two draws.

Stoppage-time goals have helped them get over the line in their past two matches against Dundee and Livingston, and McCann recognises the traits of O'Neill's leadership.

"Martin's shown again, and then again, how good a manager he is," McCann said.

"I've played against him when he was a manager at Celtic when I was playing at Rangers, understood what he demanded from his teams, how his teams went about things.

"I think he's just got that something that gets the team going.

"Whether they're playing sparkling Celtic football, as everybody tends to put the label on them, or not, they're finding a way of winning games, so we have to completely respect the challenge."

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Kilmarnock left-back Dom Thompson is back from suspension for Celtic's visit on Sunday.

Kyle Magennis, Djenairo Daniels and Matty Kennedy remain out through injury.

Celtic are set to be without Arne Engels after the midfielder went off with an upper leg injury against Livingston.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand remain out.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Neil McCann has been speaking before Kilmarnock host Celtic in the Premiership on Sunday.

Here are the key lines:

• McCann says the players should be "feeling good about themselves" following the 4-3 win against St Mirren that moved Killie nine points clear of the bottom.

• He could see wins coming and feels "relief" and "elation" at securing back-to-back home victories.

• On the "massive challenge" of facing Celtic, McCann says: "I don't think they come any bigger. Celtic are in really good form, Martin [O'Neill] has shown again and again how good a manager he is. Whether they're playing sparkling football or not, they're finding a way of winning games."

• He adds: "They're in a title fight but we're in our own fight here and that's to get a third win in a row at Rugby Park."

• McCann wants Rugby Park to become a fortress again and insists Killie are playing with an "aggressive" style now, adding: "We've taken the lead off the boys and let them go, just to eliminate the fear as the big, bad run they were on can bring fear and nerves. Hopefully that is gone now."

• He's "delighted" with Tyreece John-Jules following his hat-trick against St Mirren and says it's "important" to have a target to play off.

• McCann is "really encouraging people to hit the box" and says Billy Dodds has been working hard on increasing Killie's threat from set-pieces.

• Playing Findlay Curtis at right-back in midweek was a "deliberate thing" and the on-loan Rangers winger "did really, really well considering it's an alien position".

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• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored the winner on his Celtic debut against Livingston last time out. The last player to score in both of his first two Scottish Premiership appearances for the Hoops was Moritz Jenz in August 2022, while the last British player to do so was Scott Sinclair in August 2016.

• This will be Martin O'Neill's 300th game in charge of Celtic in all competitions, the sixth manager to hit that milestone with the club. His 227 wins in 299 games to date is already the most within a manager's first 300 matches in charge (Jock Stein second with 224).

• After only winning two of their first 23 league games this season (D8 L13), Kilmarnock have since won two of their past three (L1). They have scored as many goals in these past three games (eight) as their previous 14 in the Premiership beforehand.

• Celtic have only lost one of their past 21 league matches against Kilmarnock (W18 D2), a 2-1 defeat in December 2023.

• Kilmarnock have lost their past six league meetings with Celtic, last losing more in a row in April 2015 (eight).

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Kilmarnock striker Tyreece John-Jules was emotional after netting his first career hat-trick.

The former Arsenal academy player proved the difference in Killie's 4-3 victory over St Mirren.

The 23-year-old former Crawley player, who arrived at Killie as a free agent in October, said: "I feel a bit emotional actually - first professional hat-trick.

"I have been waiting for a moment like this for a few years.

"I feel like I am getting back to my best. I have had a lot of injuries and I am starting to feel like myself again. I am enjoying my football, for sure."

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Former Kilmarnock striker Lee Miller expects Neil McCann to keep the Rugby Park club in the Premiership this season.

McCann's second-bottom side came from a goal down to beat St Mirren 4-3 at home on Wednesday night, moving nine points clear of Livingston and within three of St Mirren and Dundee.

After going 17 games without victory, Killie have won two of their past three - and back-to-back home leagues outings for the first time this season - as new boss McCann sparks an upturn in form.

"It's a huge win, a huge win for them," Miller told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I was watching the Motherwell-Rangers game last night and you just kept seeing the wee graphic popping up that there was another goal in the Kilmarnock game.

"It sounded like a really exciting game but Neil McCann and Billy Dodds have done great.

"I think they have inspired the players. They've got that buzz, that kind of winning feeling, and he is enthusiastic about his work.

"Having worked alongside McCann and done punditry gigs with Doddsy as well, I think Kilmarnock will be okay."

We asked for your views after a Tyreece John-Jules hat-trick inspired Kilmarnock to a 4-3 victory over St Mirren and moved them nine points clear of bottom spot.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Gary: If the board had not buried their heads in the sand and changed managers sooner we would probably be top of the bottom six and maybe aiming for sixth place. At least now it looks like we have the right people in the dugout. There's still a long way to go but, like the players, the fans now have some confidence.

Frank: Looks like the management team have found the answer to our problems. Attacking football a joy to watch. Players are up for the challenges ahead I believe. Looking up the league not trying to manage the play-off spot. If you can score goals you can win games which has been the case in our last two home games.

Cameron: Brilliant performance, going forward we actually show that we have some substance under Neil McCann. Saying that, some poor goals to concede with Kelle Roos at fault for a couple. Need Max Stryjek back in the posts.

Scott: Wow! Could have been 8-6, great game, great goals, now that's entertainment. Killie need to keep the confidence and momentum building and we can look up the league instead of down.

Watch as the relegation battle takes another turn as Tyreece John-Jules' hat-trick helps Kilmarnock beat St Mirren at Rugby Park. Available to UK users only

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "There's so much to like about the performance. There was a lot of guts in there.

"We went 1-0 down, and then St Mirren scored early in the second half and you wonder if that's going to take the sting out of us a wee bit. But they didn't and they went again.

"It could have been a lot more, in my opinion. I know the 4-3 scoreline looks tight but we fully deserved the three points and probably should have won by a couple more goals.

"Tyreece John-Jules has just started to elevate his performances because he's had a good run in the team after not playing a lot of football.

"I'm so happy for him that he's got the match ball. Though I had a wee moment of worry after his third goal when he was doing back flips. I'm not going to have too much of that."

Kilmarnock came out on top in a seven-goal thriller at Rugby Park that boosted their chances of climbing out of the relegation play-off spot.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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• Kilmarnock have lost just one of their past 13 Scottish Premiership games against St Mirren (W6 D6), a 5-1 defeat in March 2025.

• St Mirren remain winless in 13 top-flight visits to Kilmarnock (D4 L9) since a 3-1 victory in May 2013 under Danny Lennon.

• Although Kilmarnock have only won one of their past 18 league games (D4 L13), that was their last one played at home, beating Aberdeen 3-0 in January.

• Only Livingston (four) have fewer away points in the Premiership this season than St Mirren (six), who are winless in eight league matches on their travels (D2 L6) since beating Falkirk 2-1 in September.

• Only against Ross County (eight) and Dundee (seven) has Bruce Anderson scored more Premiership goals than he has versus St Mirren (six), netting three times in four games against the Buddies for Kilmarnock.

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Kilmarnock left-back Dom Thompson is suspended. Jamie Brandon and Max Stryjek are pushing for comebacks while Kyle Magennis (knee), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

St Mirren forward Jake Young is suspended and also nursing an ankle knock while Malik Dijksteel drops out with a groin injury.

Mark O'Hara and Jonah Ayunga have returned to training but are unlikely to feature while Keanu Baccus is awaiting the green light to join them.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before Kilmarnock host St Mirren in the Premiership on Wednesday night.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• The 5-1 defeat to Rangers was a "sore one to take", but McCann says there was "loads of good stuff" to take from the performance and Killie "reacted well" to going down to 10 men.

• He has been "pretty consistent" with his demands of the players and what he expects from the squad.

• The absence of Dominic Thompson through suspension for the St Mirren game is a "blow" but McCann has "plenty of options to try and fill the gap".

• The Rugby Park boss says it's a "nice problem" to have so many players available for selection and it "seems a really happy club" as "everybody wants to get on to the training pitch and put themselves forward for the game".

• McCann says the "level of quality has gone up" since he arrived at Rugby Park with Billy Dodds last month, adding: "I'm not going to say about what's happened before. That would be hugely disrespectful. I'm talking about since we've come in the building. Their level has increased since we've been in the first week even and what we're doing with them has actually improved. And that is what you're looking for, competition during the week, which keeps us sharp going into the matches."

• He stressed the importance of securing back-to-back home wins.

• The new signings have "settled well in the dressing room" but still need to "adjust".

• McCann praised Stephen Robinson for having a "really well-coached" St Mirren team and adds: "We know what we're going up against. It'll be an interesting technical area. I've had my exchanges with Stevie in the past and they've always been really enjoyable. We're similar characters, but I think what will be on view is two teams who have a certain way of playing. There will be no quarter given."

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

The Aberdeen victory was a massive shot in the arm for Killie fans and players alike. Defeat at Rangers could have been very different had we kept 11 players on the park.

There is still a general feeling of positivity that hasn't been around for a while - however the St Mirren game on Wednesday is absolutely huge.

Victory would put us just three points behind the Buddies and a few teams in mid-table would start to get very nervous.

Defeat would leave us isolated along with Livingston, but we'll try not to think like that for now.

The early signs are the new guys could make a significant difference, with Findlay Curtis and Joe Hugill likely to be regular starters for us in forward positions.

A win on Wednesday would give us an extra boost for the weekend when Celtic come calling.

I fancy we'll give them a game, plus we are due some favourable VAR decisions against the bigger teams.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine