Kilmarnock

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Stuart Kettlewell has urged Kilmarnock to overcome "a big hurdle" in Dundee United and forge a way to Hampden.

Killie host United in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup second-round tie, with the Tangerines coming off a Conference League defeat on penalties by Rapid Vienna.

"Getting to Hampden means a lot for any football team," said manager Kettlewell, who has overseen Scottish Premiership draws with Livingston and Hibernian so far this season.

"But I just think, especially for the community clubs, people get behind their team, they rally. And ultimately that's our goal.

"We've got a big hurdle to cross on Sunday. A really difficult challenge. But I would be lying if I said that we weren't looking for at least one cup run, maybe two cup runs.

"It breeds confidence. It does breed that feelgood factor. I talk about it so often - how many chances do you get to win silverware as a professional player? There's not that many over a career.

"And it's realising that when those opportunities come about, that you need to give it absolutely everything. That'll be the message for us on Sunday again."

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell wants to help more young players progress in their careers after seeing his former Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller earn a big-money move to Udinese.

Miller, 18, was handed his debut by Steven Hammell six days after his 16th birthday before establishing himself as a regular starter and stand-in Motherwell captain under Kettlewell.

Hoping Miller serves as a positive example to players at his new club, Kettlewell has already handed opportunities to 18-year-old Ben Brannan, who has scored four goals in five games, and 20-year-old Ethan Brown this season.

"I grew up in a Queen's Park side under guys like Billy Start and Kenny Brannigan, where they gave young players a chance," he said.

"I was ingrained with empowering young players and it's always been something at the forefront of my mind.

"I'm delighted for Lennon. He's an exceptional talent. But for me, not just at Kilmarnock but in Scotland, I think that becomes that sort of blueprint for how you should act.

"My concentration now comes to young, talented players that we've got at Kilmarnock. There's a couple of them that have done really, really well here given the opportunity in recent weeks.

"I know Ben catches the headlines because of an amazing goal against Hibs. When we see young players doing that type of thing, that's probably the element of football that makes me my happiest.

"Let's not forget about Ethan Brown being slung in at the deep end, playing at Easter Road, being 2-0 down, and I thought he performed admirably.

"Fortunately these guys have shown that emotional intelligence to be able to work through it and perform well.

"And I hope that they continue to do so. I hope that they continue to grow as players because it becomes exciting for us here at Kilmarnock."

Killie's squad for the Premier Sports Cup second-round tie at home Dundee United on Sunday will include new loan signing from Crewe, centre-back Zac Williams.

George Stanger returns from suspension and Kettlewell will assess midfielder Brad Lyons following parental leave and Kyle Magennis and Tom Lowery after injury. But Scott Tiffoney could be facing two months out with a calf injury.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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We may only be two games into the Scottish Premiership season, but Kilmarnock are giving youth a chance.

Ben Brannan's sublime looping volley against Hibs catapulted the 18-year-old to prominence after Sportscene aired that evening, but for Killie fans, it's a realisation of some pretty lofty expectations.

The Rugby Park side won the Scottish Youth Cup in April for the first time since 2004 and the talented crop of kids are already having an impact.

Stuart Kettlewell is a manager committed to integrating youth into his starting line-ups and giving them a chance to cement themselves as regulars.

"It's important all of our young players know there is a clear pathway to the first team," the new manager said in the summer. He's giving them that chance.

Rory McKenzie and Greg Kiltie are experienced professionals and played at Easter Road, with David Watson, fellow 20-year-old Ethan Brown and Brannan also featuring. All five have come through the ranks at Rugby Park.

Brown was given his debut on Sunday, with 16-year-old midfielder Aaron Davis on the bench too.

This isn't a new trend, and Killie can provide a platform to bigger things. Bobby Wales moved on to Swansea in the summer - netting on his debut in midweek - and banked Killie a decent fee.

So far in the top flight season, Killie have the third-youngest starting XI, with an average age of 25 years and 66 days. Only the two Dundee sides have had marginally younger line-ups.

Scottish players aged under 21 have clocked up 805 minutes of Premiership football so far this season, with Brannan and Watson accounting for 360 of those. Livingston's Macaulay Tait is the only other Scottish youngetser to play both games in full.

With an undefeated start across all competitions and a manager eager to give youth their chance, Killie's young guns are only just beginning to make their mark.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Killie may not have an inflated budget like the city clubs, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

In Stuart Kettlewell we now have a manager who is willing to give youth a chance and there is that extra joy and satisfaction when one of our own makes it into the first team.

David Watson is an outstanding young player who was poorly managed by previous boss Derek McInnes, but he is now back to his old self and will be catching the eye of bigger clubs.

Ethan Brown made his debut at Easter Road and the young Canadian can look forward to many more opportunities to pull on the famous stripes.

The latest jewel in the crown is local lad Ben Brannan, who plays full-back but is our top scorer. He did Sportscene a big favour in letting them close their goal of the season competition in early August by nailing a world-class screamer that secured us a good point away to Hibs.

Brannan will make the club a lot of money in the future when he decides to move, though hopefully he will choose to learn his trade at Killie for a few years yet.

I'd urge Killie fans to get along to the cup game this weekend against Dundee United and give these kids the support they deserve.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

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Ben Brannan's Kilmarnock first-team career couldn't have started much better.

Five games, four goals, and one goal-of-the-season contender. The 18-year-old wing-back, who had been played out of position, scored a sensational looping volley to level against Hibs as Stuart Kettlewell's side drew 2-2 at Easter Road after trailing 2-0.

A product of Killie's academy and backed by his new manager to become a first-team regular, Brannan is taking it all in his stride.

"I'm just watching it come down, I'm thinking, should I just take a touch here, pass it, maybe get another cross in," he told BBC Scotland.

"I just feel that I've I feel like I've took confidence for the goals I've scored before, so I just thought, why not?

"I knew we would come back [from 2-0 down]. We've got confidence in the boys. Getting the goal before half-time was massive, and I feel like we got a right kick up the [backside] in the changing room.

"We just took it into the second half. That's what sort of made me shoot as well. I thought we needed to test the keeper."

Kettlewell recently said he has "high hopes" for "eye-catching" Brannan after the teenager scored on his Kilmarnock debut against Brora Rangers in the League Cup earlier this season.

On Sunday's evidence, Brannan is ready to become a Rugby Park mainstay.

"Obviously, I got my chance in the first team this season, and I feel like I just took my chance," Brannan added.

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 2-2 draw with Hibs.

Here is what some of you said:

Adam: Well done Killie, a good comeback once you realise Hibs weren't that good. What a goal from the young lad, goal of the month or season contender definitely. Good away point, so now we need some wins.

Robert: So glad Ben Brannan has been tied down to a three-year contract.

Davey: Brilliant fightback after it looked like Hibs would dish out a gubbing. We rattled the Hibs defence and goalie in the second half and could have snuck the win. Impressive given players missing today, especially good that we featured five players who were products of our academy. Delighted youth is being given a chance, loan players are not being used, and the hoofball is ditched.

Neil: Pretty grim first 40 minutes were the unexpected prelude to a cracking Killie recovery. Brannan's goal is one for the archives, and great to have three Academy "graduates" starting in the first team. If only Daniels had squared to Watson…

Brian: Much happier with a team that goes at the opposition with the intent to win. Even at 2-0 down, you could appreciate the team's efforts. We have a belief and a style.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Ben Brannan: The teenage wingback produced a goal for the ages at Easter Road. As the ball fell from the heavens, he had time to weigh up exactly what he was going to do and executed it perfectly. A wondrous strike as Kilmarnock earned a point at Easter Road.

Marcus Dackers: A brilliant assist for Kilmarnock's goal just before half-time against Hibs, which proved so important. Gave the Hibs defenders a hard time all afternoon.

Highlights of Hibs 2-2 Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

Teenage wing-back Ben Brannan's stunning looping volley helped Kilmarnock recover from two goals down to draw with high-flying Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say now.

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell told BBC Scotland: "For large parts of the first half, it didn't work and we altered the shape. You can think you're a tactical genius, but it wasn't that - it was how the players applied themselves.

"From that point, we carried more of a threat, we retained the ball better and looked better defensively.

"To be 2-0 down against a team that's absolutely flying at Easter Road, it's a mountain to climb. I'm absolutely delighted by the reaction of the players and the quality of the goals.

"[Brannan's strike] will be spoken about for quite some time. It's some strike, it's unbelievable. We had some other real good moments and spooked Hibs at the back.

"The goal aside, Ben is 18. We gave him his debut, we knew he was talented. I'll not get carried away, he's playing out of position, and he's embraced the whole situation. He's taken everything in his stride and you need that emotional intelligence to give yourself a chance."

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Kilmarnock defender Robbie Deas says he has a new view on discipline as he returns from suspension to face Hibernian in the Premiership this weekend.

The 25-year-old missed the opening match of the top-flight season for the second successive year due to suspension, having been sent off against Motherwell in the first half of the final game of the last campaign.

"I only found out maybe 48 hours before the game that I wasn't eligible, so I was disappointed," Deas said.

"That's the last two years I've missed the opening game down to my own doing so it's a lesson learnt and it was tough watching the game on Saturday. I felt pretty helpless so I'm really looking forward to this game."

Despite his regret over his suspension, Deas also admitted that his red card against Motherwell was hard to avoid.

"When I look back at the sending-off against Motherwell at the end of last season, it was a bit more last-ditch and sometimes I can be like that.

"Whereas if I let Lennon Miller go through, he either has a chance of scoring or not, but I'm still on the pitch to make a difference.

"If I make a tackle or take him out, I'm off the pitch for the last 70 minutes and I put the team in a position with 10 men. It's just moments like that."

"I've spoken to coaches about it, I've spoken to my dad about it, different people and it's just all learning for me, but I feel like I'm in a better position now where I know what I'm going to do."

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Hibs could hand a debut to Scotland defender Grant Hanley while Zambia midfielder Miguel Chaiwa is awaiting work permit approval.

Joe Newell and Rudi Molotnikov are working their way back to fitness after groin injuries and Nicky Cadden (hamstring) is set to remain sidelined.

Kilmarnock's Robbie Deas returns from suspension but fellow defender George Stanger is banned after being sent off against Livingston.

Kyle Magennis (hamstring) and Scott Tiffoney were absent against Livi.

Claire Thomson
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell expects to face a "fresh, hungry and enthusiastic" Hibernian, flying high on European victory, in the Premiership this weekend.

Having drawn the season opener 2-2 with Livingston, which saw defender George Stanger sent off, Killie head to Easter Road on Sunday seeking a first win of the campaign.

Kettlewell has ruled out any notions of fatigue among his opponents and believes Hibs' impressive away win over Partizan Belgrade in Conference League qualifying on Thursday night will instead give the Edinburgh side an extra boost and confidence.

"If I shift myself into Hibs' shoes, I think you grow in confidence," Kettlewell said.

"That's how I would always look at it. I wouldn't see the fatigue factor, I wouldn't start to talk about the travel and all the rest of it.

"We always talk about momentum and we always talk about positivity and those types of results and performances build positivity.

"I would imagine we'll see a fresh, hungry and enthusiastic Hibs side with plenty of quality.

"When you look at the investment that has been put into that Hibs squad and the quality of player that's sitting on the bench, you could stake a claim for a number of those guys playing in their side and getting a similar result.

"If they choose to make those changes and freshen things up, then you're still going to see a very strong Hibs side.

"It's going to be a really difficult game for us on Sunday. It would have been anyway, irrespective of the result."

Claire Thomson
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Hibernian in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the main points:

• Kettlewell hopes to continue to bring in players to strengthen certain positions and add more depth. He insists it will take "patience, motivation and drive" from players who fail to make the starting 11 as well as an understanding that there will be opportunities throughout the season.

• Kettlewell opted not to appeal George Stanger's red card in the season-opening 2-2 draw with Livingston but believes it was equally a foul on the defender.

• Killie had the most players sent off in the league last season, but with the change of regime the former Motherwell and Ross County boss insists he has not had to address disciplinary issues so far.

• Kettlewell wants the team to be "aggressive" and "make contact fairly with the opposition" when they don't have possession, but emphasises that the players are "human beings and sometimes get it wrong".

• He always expected the match against Hibs to be difficult, but says their win last night against Partizan Belgrade will have given the Edinburgh side an extra boost and confidence.

• Despite the additional matches and travel for Hibs, Kettlewell believes the home side will not be fatigued but instead take momentum from the string of strong performances as he expects his team to face a "fresh, hungry and enthusiastic" team.

• Hibs have only lost one of their past 14 league meetings with Kilmarnock (W8 D5), a 1-0 defeat in November 2022 under Lee Johnson.

• Kilmarnock are winless in 11 Scottish Premiership away games at Hibs (D3 L8) since a 1-0 victory on the final day of the 2013-14 season. Killie have lost each of their past six such visits in a row, the last five without scoring.

• Following their 2-1 win at Dundee on matchday one, Hibs will be looking to win their opening two games of a Scottish Premiership season for the first time since 2021-22. Indeed, Hibs are unbeaten in their past 12 home league games (W9 D3), their longest streak since October 2018 (14).

• Kilmarnock have won their opening away fixture in just one of their past 18 Scottish top-flight campaigns (since 2006-07), beating Hamilton in 2016-17 under Lee Clark.

• Since his first Scottish Premiership start against Celtic in February 2025, Hibs striker Kieron Bowie has the best minutes per goal rate of any player to score more than twice in the Scottish top flight, netting seven goals at an average of one every 83 minutes.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Kilmarnock played out a 2-2 draw with Livingston in their Premiership opener, and they've got one player in my team of the week.

David Watson had a great first half and helped Kilmarnock take early control over Livingston.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

The new season got under way on Saturday and the old blood pressure was soaring again as Killie threw away a two goal lead and had to settle for a point.

The outcome rested on one key decision when Matthew MacDermid decided to ignore the foul on George Stanger then award a penalty and a red card. It seems every time we get this official that a Killie player takes an early bath, it would be fair to say that I don't feel he is up to the job.

The first half was fairly even until Killie burst into life with two goals in quick succession that should have been enough to win the game. We just need to dust ourselves down and get ready for Hibs away on Sunday afternoon.

Traditionally it is not a happy hunting ground however the hosts have to contend with their European demands and I'm hoping that takes the edge off their league performances.

Liam Polworth and David Watson played well in the heart of midfield and with Daniels getting another goal there are plenty of positives in the squad.

It won't be easy however I predict a rare Killie win with Djenairo Daniels continuing his goalscoring exploits.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Watch Sportscene analysis of David Watson's performance in Kilmarnock's 2-2 draw against Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

Watch highlights of Kilmarnock's 2-2 draw against Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Brad Lyons says Kilmarnock should have had the experience to see out a victory against Livingston after squandering a two-goal lead and having to settle for a share of the spoils.

Killie were in control after goals from Djanairo Daniels and David Watson gave them a 2-0 lead, but the game turned on a red card for defender George Stanger after he tugged Robbie Muirhead back in the box.

Muirhead scored from the spot and Scott Pittman grabbed a late Livi equaliser.

"We have to look at ourselves and break the game down and see what we could have done better to see the game out," Lyons told BBC Scotland.

"It is really frustrating because even when we came out the second half, the first 15 minutes, we were in command. It was an even enough game and we were comfortable.

"Even if we go down to ten men, the experience and the players we have on the pitch, we should be seeing the game out at the end of the day.

"But we'll break it down this week, go again, hopefully get a result against Hibs and it turns into a good point."

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock 2-2 draw against Livingston.

Here's what some of you said:

John: It was like going back in time to last season, come on Killie get it sorted out before it becomes normal to throw away points. It stops now, no more lapses.

Kenny: A good first half performance but a disappointing second half. The red card and penalty made a big difference, however, Killie were on the back foot most of the second half. There are some positives but the overarching feeling is that we still have work to do and we need more cover defensively!

Amy: It was a clear penalty and a sign of inexperience from George Stanger. What's more worrying is the manager's in-game changes. Taking off Marcus Dackers who was holding the ball, taking off Tom Lowery who keeps possession, bringing a new signing out the cold into left back - that's more concerning than anything for me.

James: Very disappointed to only draw the game. For all their possession Livi didn't create many chances. The game turns on the penalty. A very frustrating result but we did well in the first half and scored two good goals. I feel we need to beef up the central defence and midfield.

Gary: New season, new manager, some new players in, yet once again it's the same as last season on too many occasions, another red card.

Stephen: We had a good five minute spell in which we scored two goals but overall Livi were the better team, even before we went down to ten. Our lack of depth and quality was cruelly exposed and Livi's recruitment looks better than ours. Lewis Smith's impact from the bench was far better than anything we could produce and, goalkeeper apart, we look much weaker than last season. You can't ask for a better opening game than against the second promoted team at home, and they bossed us.

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "It's really frustrating. You point to big moments in games and the game turned on it's head when Livingston were awarded the penalty with the red card to George Stanger.

"We felt we were really comfortable. Livingston changed their shape at half-time, and that tells you what we've done in the first half is good. We felt we would manage the situation.

"One or two things started to conspire against us. I believe [the penalty] is rather soft, the initial tug came from Robbie Muirhead. We feel harshly done by on that one.

"Once we went down to 10, we were resolute. We limited Livingston to few chances. You believe at that point you're going to get through it, but it wasn't to be.

"It felt we were comfortable enough, albeit we were down to 10 men. I didn't feel Livingston were creating many chances at that point. The game just hinges on that one moment."

Livingston marked their return to the Scottish Premiership by coming back from two goals down to earn a draw against 10-man Kilmarnock.

Let us know your thoughts on the game here.

Read the full match report here.