Kilmarnock

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."

We asked you what transfer business Kilmarnock need to do under new boss Neil McCann this month.

Here's what some of you had to say:

James: If we don't bring in new faces and especially an experienced goalkeeper the new managers will fail. The existing players are not to the standard for Premiership football, and will probably struggle in the Championship next year. So Mr Bowie the new management team need cash from somewhere. A new turf and training facility will be useless if we are in the Championship.

Ben: We need a solid CB, midfielder who can hold the ball and actually tackle, wingers and better striker than what we currently have. New keeper would be good until Max Stryjek is fit.

Adam: Kilmarnock need four players at least, a midfield playmaker who can control the game, and shut teams down before they get to our penalty box. Also a goalscorer who is going to dominate the opposition penalty area. A powerhouse defender and a goalkeeper. The backbone to most successful teams!

Robert: We need a clearout of deadwood and to bring in a winger, a creative midfielder and a striker.

Gary: As we are sitting second bottom a new starting 11 would be great but that's not happening so goalie, centre-back, playmaker, at least one striker and someone to be a captain.

John: McCann and Billy Dodds will certainly be up for it. Might get players in because of their connections. Lyall Cameron from Rangers possibly. Killie not much worse than teams above them but will have to get points on board quickly.

Image source, SNS

New boss Neil McCann says he has "the answers in the building" as he looks to address Kilmarnock's poor run and guide them to Premiership survival.

The second-bottom Ayrshire side have endured a difficult season, only recording two league wins, and are currently on a 14-game winless streak.

According to McCann, the Killie squad have more ability than they've shown as he looks for his players to be bigger risk takers.

"I believe I've got the answers in the building," said McCann at his Rugby Park unveiling.

"I think if the boys are honest, they've underperformed to what they're capable of giving.

"That's not through lack of effort. Sometimes, as a footballer, I can completely understand. Every footballer will tell you that when things are against you, sometimes you take an easy route.

"I want the boys to play with a wee bit of freedom, a wee bit of bravery. It's up to us to allow bravery to happen. We need a wee bit of structure in place behind the scenes.

"What I mean by that is if I'm asking boys to take risks in the final third to try and get those goals, coveted goals that's going to give us wins, then I've got to make sure we're doing our work as a coaching staff to give information to the group behind it.

"We're solid enough that we can allow the guys in the final third to go and take risks."

McCann is joined at Kilmarnock by Billy Dodds as his assistant. The pair worked together last season under Barry Ferguson during his interim spell at Rangers.

"The enthusiasm that Billy will bring, all the boys behind the scenes, is going to be so important," said McCann.

"But again, they just need to find a wee bit of inner belief to know why they're in this position at a Premiership club playing for Kilmarnock. They're good enough to get results, so we just need to put it all together."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

New Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has been speaking to the media for the first time since taking charge.

Here are the key lines:

• McCann says he had no hesitation in taking the job despite Killie's struggles this season, sitting 11th in the Premiership without a win in 14 games.

• He adds: "I'm very proud to be given the opportunity. I know this would have been a highly-coveted job. And I know the position that we find ourselves in is a difficult one right now."

• With Killie facing bottom club Livingston on Saturday, McCann believes one win can make his side "catch fire" and spark a run of form to get them up the table.

• He hopes to add to the squad in January, but was given "no guarantees" from the board about new signings before he took the job.

• On Killie fans who may be sceptical over his appointment, McCann says only results will determine how he is viewed by the support: "I don't read social media. As long as my boys in the dressing room are engaging in what I'm giving them in the training field, results will dictate that."

• McCann says he has spoken to previous Kilmarnock managers for advice: "Jim Jeffries has been in touch, Stevie Clarke, Derek McInnes, guys that I feel that I can completely relate to in terms of their personalities, what they can offer. They've done great things here at the club."

• On the trip to face Livingston: "This is a huge game. Everybody else, and there'll be fans, our own fans, will say it's a must-win game. I understand the importance of it. But every three points, as Dundee have proved in the last three games, it can make such a difference no matter who you're playing."

New manager Neil McCann will be looking to bring in fresh faces this month to boost Kilmarnock's hopes of survival in the Premiership.

What business would you like to see McCann do over the course of the window? Which positions would you like to see strengthened?

Send us your thoughts here.

Image source, Jeff Holmes

Time may already be against "obsessive" Neil McCann, but the new Kilmarnock manager is not using that as an excuse.

Despite only being named as Stuart Kettlewell's successor on Tuesday, McCann has assured supporters will "see that work is already starting to take place" by his first game on Saturday against Livingston.

The 51-year-old, who was most recently assistant at Rangers to Barry Ferguson, is confident he and fellow ex-Ibrox coach Billy Dodds can turn the fortunes of the flailing Ayrshire club around.

Victory in the basement battle at bottom side Livi this weekend would be the perfect start for McCann and co.

"It's huge," McCann told club media of the trip to West Lothian.

"We don't have a lot of time but that time will be valuable and it'll be used well.

"The information I'll try and gather over the next couple of days is going to be so important, not only for my players but the staff as a whole to help.

"And then the supporters are going to be vital. I'm not talking about for me in terms of getting behind me, it's about getting behind the team.

"I'm hoping the support will see that - although there's not a lot of time right now to Saturday's game - the work is already starting to take place.

"I'm a bit obsessive by nature anyway, so it wasn't a problem to get my head into work.

"It started very early when I took the call to say I'd been chosen for the job, but that hard work going to continue."

We asked for your thoughts on Neil McCann being appointed as Kilmarnock's new manager.

Here's what some of you said:

Adam: Was hoping for Robbie Neilson. I am willing to give McCann a chance but can he walk the walk? Seems a bit desperate from Killie, but clearly our budget is like our balloons, our belief and our ambition: deflated and shrinking by the day.

Robin: I have absolutely no confidence that this will work with McCann and Billy Dodds but I pray I'm wrong. They don't have a proven track record and what we need in our current position is someone that can go in and shake things up. We desperately need attacking additions to the squad and I am very sceptical they can attract these kinds of players. Championship seems inevitable.

Garry: Potentially an excellent appointment. Well done to Billy Bowie and board. Let's all get behind him and move forward.

William: This appointment says more about our financial position than anything else. Neilson was the standout candidate but we went for the cheap option.

Alan: When something doesn't feel right it normally isn't. Mistakes were made appointing Stuart Kettlewell, and it looks very similar now. When the fanbase doesn't want you it almost always ends badly. Hope I'm wrong.

Robert: He can't be any worse than what we had. He needs to make positive signings in this window and his goal must be at least 10th. As a fan I'll be right behind him.

David: A horrendous appointment. The board preparing us for relegation. To go from European football and Derek McInnes to this in a short period of time is quite something.

Matt: Good choice but a hard gig to turn the season around.

Brett: Really happy with the appointment of McCann and Dodds - both know the Scottish Premiership very well and Neil is a really serious tactician. Realistically we would have struggled to get a better duo with any less risk.

Image source, Jeff Holmes

Neil McCann could have continued his "stress-free" life by contributing punditry and analysis on Kilmarnock's crucial relegation showdown with Livingston this weekend.

Instead, he will be in the away dugout for a baptism of fire as Killie boss.

McCann, alongside assistant Billy Dodds, is tasked with keeping the second-bottom Rugby Park club in the Premiership after succeeding Stuart Kettlewell.

The 51-year-old had a spell on the Rangers coaching staff for a few months last season but this is his first full-time managerial position since 2018 at Dundee.

And former Premiership midfielder Ryan Flynn is impressed by McCann's desire to plunge back into management.

"What we can say is Neil McCann must have a real hunger and desire to go into that job," Flynn told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I feel that he must have got that appetite from going back into coaching at Rangers. Something's definitely changed.

"He could be stress free, sitting in the studio talking about football but he wants to walk the walk, which is great, and I think he'll definitely bring that to the players. Just his enthusiasm towards the game, him and Billy Dodds.

"They know it's a difficult situation, the league table doesn't lie, it's going to be tough.

"But then the flip of that is they're probably guaranteed to at least finish second bottom. They'll go in there, try and get that belief back and try and chase those teams in front."

Kilmarnock are currently four points above Saturday's hosts Livingston having played a game more.

"There's no better first game than Livingston away. They're straight in at the deep end," Flynn added.

"Basics first and then after that can you get the victories and the points on the board."

Image source, SNS

Saturday's trip to Livingston throws Kilmarnock's new management team "straight into the deep end", says the club's assistant coach Billy Dodds.

The Rugby Park side announced Neil McCann as their replacement for Stuart Kettlewell on Tuesday.

McCann will be assisted by former team-mate Dodds and the pair, who worked together at Rangers last term, face a crucial match at the weekend.

Kilmarnock are currently 11th in the Scottish Premiership and have not won in 14 games, but they could end that wretched run with victory at bottom side Livingston.

"Straight in at the deep end and we're under no illusions what's required," Dodds said on BBC Sportsound.

"But we have a good squad of players, maybe a little tweak here and there, and we'll get on with it. It'll be tough, but it's a role we're very much looking forward to."

On the recruitment process, Dodds added: "It was all pretty quickly organised. Yesterday talks started then it was all done by this morning."

Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell has backed "shrewd appointment" Neil McCann to steer the club to Premiership survival this season.

McCann, 51, and assistant Billy Dodds most recently served as interim assistants at Rangers last season under Barry Ferguson.

McCann's only previous permanent job as manager was an 18-month stint at Dundee that ended in October 2018 with the club bottom of the top flight.

Having worked mainly as a pundit since then, the former Scotland winger now takes over a team that are winless in 14 games and second bottom of the table.

"I think it's a good appointment by Kilmarnock," Bell told BBC Scotland.

"When I look at where Kilmarnock are, it's between them and Livingston [to get relegated], they're starting to get a little bit isolated.

"They've only won two games all season. When you're looking for a manager in the situation that they're in, you're looking for a manager with Scottish football experience. Neil McCann and Billy Dodds have that in abundance.

"So I think it's a really shrewd appointment from the club to where they are at this moment in time.

"The job for Neil and Billy will be to go in there and keep Kilmarnock in the league this season. Because they've been in such poor form they'll need to turn it around quickly and they've got a huge match against Livingston at the weekend.

"I see the passion within them as people so I think they'll bring that to the team.

"It's a big month for the two guys. I think they'll be successful, I think they will turn this around and hopefully see Kilmarnock safe in the top flight again."

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Neil McCann has just been announced as the new manager and, much like Stuart Kettlewell, he was not the fans' choice.

However, every new manager deserves a chance and the Killie support will give him that although our patience is wearing thin.

Several new faces are required if we want to stay up and decent quality is needed rather than some journeymen.

Good luck to the new management team and a win at Livingston on Saturday would be the perfect tonic although it is never easy there.

Kris Doolan's interim reign ended without a victory and we once again looked like relegation fodder last weekend as Hibs briefly got out of second gear to brush us aside.

There was a 15-minute spell in the second half when it looked like we might get something from the game but our lack of quality and rock-bottom confidence is there for all to see.

I've been a Killie fan since JFK was shot so it's a sad day when The Traitors ends up being your Saturday highlight.

Every game is massive when you are in 11th place but the trip to Livingston is your archetypal six-pointer.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Image source, SNS

The Kilmarnock board have "complete faith" in Neil McCann and Billy Dodds' ability to drive the club forward.

McCann - who had not been a full-time manager in more than seven years - is Killie's new boss on a contract until summer 2028, with Dodds joining him as assistant.

The Rugby Park club have gone 14 matches without victory and occupy the relegation play-off spot in the Premiership.

Announcing the new manager, the board said in a statement: "We fully understand how important it was to get this appointment right.

"After a thorough process, we are assured that Neil and Billy have the qualities, experience, and character required to lead Kilmarnock Football Club forward.

"We have complete faith in their ability to do what needs to be done to keep this club competing in the Scottish Premiership. Both Neil and Billy know the Scottish league inside out, understand its demands, and share a vision that aligns strongly with the culture and values of this football club.

"This is a significant appointment for Kilmarnock FC. We are confident the players will adapt quickly to their leadership and respond positively to the clarity, belief, and ambition they bring at a crucial moment for the club."

Kilmarnock have turned to Neil McCann to keep the club in the Scottish Premiership.

The former Dundee boss and his assistant Billy Dodds have signed two-and-a-half year contracts at Rugby Park.

McCann succeeds Stuart Kettlewell, who was sacked last month after winning just two of his 17 league games in charge.

Is McCann the right choice for the job? Can he steer the club, currently second bottom, away from the drop?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, PA Media

Robbie Neilson will hold further talks with Kilmarnock on Monday regarding the vacant managerial position at Rugby Park. (Ewan Paton on X), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Watch highlights as Hibernian dispatch struggling Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

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We sought your views after Kilmarnock's 3-1 home defeat by Hibernian. Here are a selection of Killie fans' thoughts...

Frank: Let's hope there will be a big clearance of the deadwood currently in this squad when new manager takes over. The current squad have no fight, no determination and unfortunately no skill. We still have e chance to redeem part of the season with a new manager and players who have some heart and skill. We can only hope.

James: Every week it's getting worse. The new manager has to hit the ground running starting next week. The quality is just not there and we must start picking up points to have a fighting chance otherwise its Championship football next season.

Robert: Calling themselves players is a joke, new manager has only one goal - 10th.

Adam: Too slow getting into the game! We are the home team but everyone seems more comfortable on the ball than we do! We need to get in their faces from the get go! We need a new backbone to the team, especially a playmaker in midfield.

David: We are so lacking in confidence and with no direction. It's not KD to blame as he has inherited a squad with low esteem. Forwards need to take a chance that the ball will fall for them by making runs into space. The defence, well where do I start? At least five players need to be shifted out this month and replaced by more technically gifted midfielders and forwards who can move their feet quickly and pass accurately.

Stephen: That was as tame a first half as I've seen from any Kilmarnock side. It looked like a training exercise for Hibs. We at least showed a bit of spirit for a spell in the second half, but if you recruit Championship level players, you get Championship level quality. Fourteen without a win would suggest you don't belong in the league. It is embarrassing and already it looks like we're pinning our hopes on the play-off, a situation no Killie fan would be confident of us winning.

Two goals from Elie Youan and a Jamie McGrath penalty ensured Hibernian made it three Scottish Premiership wins in a row with victory over a Kilmarnock side whose winless run in the league was stretched to 14 games.

Read the match report

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