Kilmarnock

Winger Findlay Curtis, 19, is expected to join Kilmarnock on loan from Rangers. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

I recall we lost a cup tie away at Inverness during the Derek McInnes reign and thinking it was probably our worst performance in 20 years or more.

Our cup exit at home to Dundee last Saturday maybe wasn't quite as awful but it wasn't a million miles away.

Other than an excellent goal from Dom Thompson we created nothing. Credit to Dundee, who should have scored more, but we made them look like prime Brazil.

Our captain Brad Lyons made a comment last week that we needed to improve but the answers were in the building. I'll respectfully disagree - we are in desperate need of leadership, quality, width and pace.

That's a lot to ask for in the January window but the new manager has inherited an unbalanced squad that was poorly assembled by his predecessor.

We travel to Fir Park in hope rather than expectation but maybe we'll get a wee rub of the green and the outlook will appear much brighter.

Hats off to our travelling fans who will once again attend in good numbers even on the back of this horrific run.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 2-1 defeat against Dundee to knock them out of the Scottish Cup.

Here's what some of you said:

Sandy: Well we shot ourselves in the foot. Started well but then things got worse. Second half was really poor and we could have lost by more. Neil McCann and Billy Dodds have a lot of work to do. Defence is poor, strikers misfiring and we need a creative midfielder. It's going to be a long hard season.

Dan: No confidence in the team at all, we've got into that free fall situation where losing is expected! Board need to open the purse and back the new manager. Some players need to be moved on!

Robert: I thought Killie were atrocious. Poor defensively and offered little in attack. Had it not been for the posts, crossbar and one kicked off the line it would have been a heavy defeat. More than three months since they won. That's relegation form.

Gary: Well we could say sack the manager when it's the defence we want to sack. Whoever agreed to sign some of these players should also be sacked. Most will struggle next season in the Championship. Maybe the sooner relegation is confirmed the better.

Stephen: A total disgrace of a performance. The worst display of an already dreadful season. Dundee were streets ahead in every single aspect and totally dominated. McCann implying it was close and that going down to ten then made it difficult is utterly laughable. It looked like a lower league team taking on a Premiership team. No idea what our tactics were supposed to be and substitutions actually made us worse. Would love to know the criteria on which McCann was judged to be the best candidate for the job.

Grant: So many players so far off the standard. The club lost too many good players in the summer and tried to replace Derek McInnes, and those players, on the cheap and it's coming home to roost now. Need to find some quality, and quickly, or it's back to the Championship next season for us.

An injury-time defensive calamity handed Dundee a place in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup, with Drey Wright's simple finish extending nine-man Kilmarnock's winless run to 16 matches.

Read the match report

Have your say

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann tells BBC Scotland: "When we go down to ten men, it's going to be difficult.

"I'm so disappointed for the fans and the players who put so much into it. I thought we defended very well, but that mistake at the end, there is just one of those moments you need to suck up and take.

"I was just a lack of communication, Kelle's just in the door, I thought he was terrific in the match, he looked solid in goals, he did what we asked him to do, but maybe it was just a bit of communication in the message.

"You need to be decisive in that moment; it's a real killer in the dressing room."

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock's new management team have created a "real positive place", says forward Tyreece John-Jules.

Neil McCann and assistant Billy Dodds oversaw their first match in charge last weekend, a 1-1 draw at Livingston.

However, Killie are still waiting for their first win since early October and host Dundee in Saturday's Scottish Cup tie (15:00 GMT).

"On the second day all of us attackers had a meeting with them, and they were telling us what they want from us, and giving us tips on what they want us to do," said John-Jules, 24.

"Even sometimes during training they still have a bit, so it's always good to see, and I'm enjoying working under them.

"It's been good, it's been positive, right away when Neil came in you could see the intent, the changes he wanted to do, he's made it a real positive place.

"All the lads there, they've taken to him well and we're just trying to implement what he's been telling us on the pitch."

John-Jules is urging unity from the Rugby Park side as they seek to overturn their season's fortunes.

"For us to have any success in the second half, we have to be together, we have to be positive, keep a positive mindset," he said.

"Because if we're all negative or some of us are even negative, then it's not going to work and we're not going to get on the pitch. It's important to have a positive environment throughout the second half of the season, no matter the result, no matter what happens.

"Every game is a chance to impress and to do well, it's a cup game, it's another chance to build momentum, not only in the cup, but take it on to the league next week as well.

"It's a chance for guys to try things and gel more on the pitch and take more risks. It's a good competition and we still want to win every game that we play, so we'll give it our all."

Image source, Kilmarnock FC

Neil McCann has made his first Kilmarnock signing, adding former Aberdeen goalkeeper Kelle Roos on loan from Notts County for the rest of the season.

The 33-year-old Dutchman has made 26 appearances for County since joining the English League Two club last summer.

Roos had a two-year spell at Aberdeen from 2022 and also counts Derby County and Italians Triestina among his former clubs.

He bolsters Kilmarnock's goalkeeping options as Max Stryjek continues his recovery from heart surgery.

The club have confirmed Tobi Oluwayemi has now returned to Celtic following his emergency loan spell. The 22-year-old goalkeeper departs having made 12 appearances.

"Tobi's professionalism, attitude and commitment were evident throughout his spell, and his contribution was greatly appreciated by players, staff, and supporters," said Killie.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before this weekend's Scottish Cup tie against fellow Premiership side Dundee.

Here are the main points:

• McCann is hopeful of new signings before the game, admitting "there were absolutely no guarantees from the board I'd be able to do that" but he has been assured "they would try to give me some help".

• He adds: "I'd like to think we'd get one or two over the line" but shut down suggestions Rangers midfielder Findlay Curtis could join on loan: "I don't see that happening right now."

• Having won the Scottish Cup five times as a player, McCann says the tournament "has been good to me" and feels this weekend's fourth-round game is "an opportunity to progress as manager of Kilmarnock".

• While the Killie boss admits the cup is "an enormous competition," he's treating it as "just another game" and stresses "the competition is irrelevant just now, it's about winning the next game".

• McCann has "fond memories" of his time in charge of Dundee but is determined to beat them for his first win as Rugby Park boss.

• With three victories in four, McCann says Dundee manager Steven Pressley has shown "he's a guy who's not going to be flustered" and Killie know "it's going to be a hard game" on Saturday.

• The 51-year-old "can't wait" for his first game at Rugby Park after experiencing the "magic" support at Livingston last weekend and hopes the supporters will get the chance "to see us win for the first time in a long time".

• Tom Lowery has trained and will be in the squad. In terms of longer-term injuries, McCann notes Matty Kennedy is "making progress" while they will learn the extent of Marley Watkins' ankle injury today. Goalkeeper Max Stryjek is "pushing really hard and was back on the pitch" while Jamie Brandon is "back sprinting again".

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Livingston boss David Martindale believes the Scottish Premiership would benefit from full-time referees after receiving another apology for his side missing out on a penalty.

Martindale revealed that Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum had been in touch to discuss the denial of spot kick late in Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock.

Brad Lyons appeared to stick out an elbow to deflect the ball away from goal, but referee Don Robertson took no action and there was no stoppage in play to review the incident.

Collum made a similar call to Martindale in the wake of an unpunished handball from Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez during a 2-1 defeat at Ibrox in November.

"Very, very similar to Ibrox, if I'm honest," said Martindale.

"But I don't think it's a Willie Collum problem. I don't think it's just an official's problem. I think it's a Scottish football problem.

"We need to get our heads together and we need to find solutions very quickly.

"I appreciate Willie phoning, I really do. But it's not really worth anything at the end of the day because I've been through this, what, eight weeks ago?

"I'm now going through it again. And it's really hard to get your head around. I think we've got to do better."

Scottish officials are paid by game on a part-time basis, while Collum said last month there is no handball problem this season

"If you were to go with a full-time team and a part-time team, over the course of a season, the full-time team's going to make better decisions," said Martindale.

"They're going to be fitter, they're going to be stronger, because that's their full-time focus. I think we need to start phasing the double jobs.

"There's a lot of referees that are very intelligent individuals within their own industries. They're in good jobs and I understand it would be hard for that transition into full-time football because you'd probably lose a lot of household turnover.

"But I think we've got to start phasing that in. I know the salaries on offer for referees and there'd be a lot of people who'd bite your hand off for that in a full-time position.

"It's the only way it's going to get better, is by having it full-time."

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

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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."