Kilmarnock

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 3-0 defeat against Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Scott: The lack of quality and heart from the Killie players means relegation is not only likely but will be deserved. The board should sack Stuart Kettlewell but don't have the backbone to do so.

John: Despite the awful scoreline there were some positives. An attacking set up looked more like a side showing no fear at home, chances created were more apparent and a better team spirit showed glimpses of hope.

However, when goal chances came they were either wasted, missed or ignored, the midfield is too easy to play through, round or over and lacks any creativity, the defence was poor and often rushed for no reason. The team and staff don't train to be awful, it's players being poor and panicked decisions that are killing any chances of getting results.

Gary: Fifteen shots, only two on target tells its own story. No composure. No one we can rely on. No one able to take control of the game against a poor Rangers side. Manager is out his depth. Robbie Deas belongs in the Championship and I would not give Marcus Dackers a game as a corner flag.

Ken: Time to go Kettlewell! Should never have been appointed in the first place. To the board, get your heads out of the sand and get rid of him.

Stuart: Tried to support Kettlewell up until now but it's over. Totally lost the plot on team selection, tactics and then his own behaviour in this game. He's just not up to it and the players look totally confused in every game. Sad that it hasn't worked out as he seems like a genuine guy but he has to go so we can try and survive in the league by maximising points over this heavy winter period under new leadership.

Brian: We played quite well with a depleted squad. The main difference between the teams was goalkeepers. The sooner Max Stryjek gets back the better.

Kilmarnock assistant Stevie Frail tells BBC Sportsound: "The manager got sent off, which he's really, really disappointed at.

"Obviously something was said and, to be honest, I don't know and I don't know if even Stuart [Kettlewell] knows. The fourth called for the referee to come over and I'm surprised to see a red card, to be honest. It's passionate at the side of the pitch, there's a lot going on.

"I know the manager and I know how he works, he's a passionate, Whatever he's said, it surely, in my opinion, doesn't deem a red card.

"We're disappointed at losing the game and we lose goals and we've been doing it a little this season, losing them, cheap goals.

"We feel there's some big decisions went against us. The second goal comes from... we had possession, we lose it, they break, we make a foul but the referee waves play on and they get the goal and defensively it's not great from our point of view."

Bojan Miovski's two goals helped Rangers secure victory away to Kilmarnock with Stuart Kettlewell's side now 10 games without a win.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Kilmarnock captain Brad Lyons is suspended while manager Stuart Kettlewell has fresh doubts over two unnamed players.

Max Stryjek (heart), Kyle Magennis (knee), Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

Rangers winger Mikey Moore could return but Dujon Sterling will not be risked on Kilmarnock's artificial surface.

Rangers remain without John Souttar, Derek Cornelius and Oliver Antman with muscle injuries. Rabbi Matondo (knee) and Kieran Dowell (foot) are closing in on comebacks.

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

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Stuart Kettlewell has hailed "walking miracle" Max Stryjek and revealed the Kilmarnock goalkeeper is already out running in his determination for a quick return to action after open heart surgery.

Stryjek, 29, who last played for Killie on October 4, underwent surgery on 18 November and has "blown away" medical experts with his recovery, says Kettlewell.

The Killie boss added: "I always say that I feel that I've seen absolutely everything over the years of managing but it's safe to say this wasn't a situation that I'd ever seen.

"Max has made a personal statement, the club will do their own in the coming days.

"You'll see him running round the pitch at this minute in this time. For me, I need to go on record and say it's one of the most inspirational things from an individual, the guy is a walking miracle in his recovery.

"I think you can see that it's had an impact on everybody at the football club that situation, being delivered that news.

"He's just over two weeks post open heart surgery and he's out jogging, three days after he's out doing 5,000 steps.

"I think a lot of this information is now going back to the surgeons and the specialists and they are absolutely blown away by what he's been able to achieve and what he's been able to do at this point.

"He's just really showing everybody that desire to get back and play and help the football club.

"For me, we always talk about having a burning desire to contribute and to do something. I think when you've been through an experience like that then it's the type of thing that gives the rest of the players a lift.

"We've had him in the dressing room last Saturday against Dundee United, he travelled with us to Tynecastle and you can see that that's having an impact on the rest of the players.

"I keep going back to this screening programme that we've got in Scotland and I think we need to celebrate that, this is an instance it shows it's so worthwhile."

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

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Stuart Kettlewell has been speaking to the media ahead of Kilmarnock's home game against Rangers on Saturday evening.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Ketllewell has called Max Stryjek a "walking miracle" as the goalkeeper recovers from open heart surgery.

• He added: "The surgeons and the specialists are absolutely blown away by what he's been able to achieve and do at this point and he's just really showing everybody that desire to play and help the football club."

• Captain Brad Lyons is suspended for the game on Saturday and Killie will be without "two or three" players through injury following their midweek draw with Hearts.

• Killie will go into the match with "no change in mindset", says Kettlewell, as they seek victory over Rangers who've won the past three meetings.

• The Killie boss has admitted his side have taken some "blows" in recent weeks but they now have more "belief" following back-to-back draws after after a six-game losing streak.

• Kettlewell is hoping to give more minutes to recent signings Tyrese John-Jules and Jack Thomson who are in need of match fitness.

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• Kilmarnock have lost 12 of their past 14 league meetings with Rangers, although the two exceptions both came at home, 1-0 wins in August 2023 and October 2024.

• None of Rangers' past 11 league visits to Kilmarnock have been drawn, with the Glasgow side winning five and losing six since a 0-0 stalemate in April 2017 under Pedro Caixinha.

• Kilmarnock are winless in eight league games (D2 L6), last going longer without victory in the Scottish Premiership in March 2021 (10).

• Rangers have drawn their past three games in all competitions, last drawing more in a row in March 2015 (5), and last doing so as a top-flight club in November 2005 (4). In the league, the Ibrox side have already drawn eight of their 14 matches in 2025-26, their joint-most ever at this stage of a league campaign, alongside 1978-79.

• Although Rangers rank second-highest for shots per game in the Scottish Premiership this season (15.2, behind Celtic's 16.5), they have the third-lowest shot conversion rate (8.9%), netting 19 times from 213 shots.

Bruce Anderson has dedicated his late equaliser against Hearts to the Kilmarnock support as he urges his team-mates to build on the 1-1 draw against the league leaders.

Anderson's 90th-minute goal at Tynecastle cancelled out Lawrence Shankland's second-half opener to give Kilmarnock their second point in consecutive games after a six-match losing run.

It was also Anderson's second goal in two matches and the striker told Killie TV: "It's been a difficult last few weeks, so to get a point in that fashion is really good.

"The most important people are the fans at the football club and that goal was for them. Hopefully they can go away from here with something to cling on to and that sort of feelgood factor that's been missing the last few weeks, hopefully there's a little bit of that.

"The captain [Brad Lyons] just said there, we've got to build on it now. It's two draws, we wanted two wins but when you've gone through the sort of run we went through you take these little wins and it's something we need to try and build on now.

"I've always had confidence we would come out the other side and as I say it's all about building on that point because it sort of feels like a win when you score that late on."

Watch the best of the action as league leaders Hearts are held at home by Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked for your thoughts after Bruce Anderson's late goal snatch a point against league leaders Hearts.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Isobel: If only we could start games with the proper formation and go and attack. We stunned Hearts and looked the more likely to win which was pleasing. Let's continue the progress on Saturday.

Robert: One swallow doesn't make a summer but maybe there are a few shoots of hope.

Davey: Good spirit, thoroughly deserved point and could have snuck all three had Marcus Dackers' late header been a shade lower. A step in the right direction for sure. Credit to Stuart Kettlewell for his team selection and subs.

Jim: Better but still individual mistakes put us under pressure. Hearts' goal could have been avoided, young Jack Thomson should have been changed at half time and replaced with David Watson. Other than that a good showing against the league leaders.

Anna: Yet another insipid performance. Ok, we got a point but that doesn't disguise an awful selection by Stuart Kettlewell again. Three at the back and three up front, why wait until half way through the second half to put three strikers on? Had they been brought on earlier then we might have sneaked all three points.

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I thought we were pushing to win it. Firstly we felt we had to give ourselves a foundation in the game.

"We spoke about tying to grow in the game and that was in the gameplan. It's a brilliant finish from Lawrence Shankland, but we roll the dice and put attackers on to get something out of the game.

"The players managed the game well from 1-0 down. We were looking for a big moment and Bruce [Anderson] came up trumps."

Hearts visit Celtic on Sunday for a top-of-the-table clash with their eight-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership gone, after Bruce Anderson's 90th-minute leveller for struggling Kilmarnock left them without a win in four games.

Have your say on the game here.

Read our match report here.

Kilmarnock have offered Rugby Park to Auchinleck Talbot as the West of Scotland Premier League club gear up for their once-in-a-lifetime Scottish Cup tie against Celtic. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• Hearts have won their past three Scottish Premiership games against Kilmarnock, as many as their previous 15 beforehand (W3 D4 L8).

• Kilmarnock have only won one of their last five away Scottish Premiership games at Hearts (D2 L2), and could lose back-to-back such trips for the first time since December 2016.

• Hearts remain unbeaten in nine home league games (W7 D2) since a 1-0 defeat to Dundee in April. Hearts have conceded just six goals and kept five clean sheets in this unbeaten period.

• Kilmarnock have won just two of their past 19 away league games (D4 L13), losing each of their latest three in a row on the road each while conceding at least three goals.

• Hearts' Derek McInnes has lost just one of his last 31 top-flight league matches against former side Kilmarnock (W24 D6), going down 2-0 at home with Aberdeen in September 2018. He has won his last four against Killie without conceding.

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Hearts quartet Ageu, Beni Baningime, Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock all remain sidelined with hamstring injuries.

Kilmarnock have an unchanged squad. Max Stryjek recently underwent heart surgery and remains out along with Kyle Magennis (knee), Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip).

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Max Stryjek revealed he has undergone heart surgery and thanked "everyone who has supported" me.

Kilmarnock's Polish goalkeeper, 29, last played on 4 October and underwent surgery on 18 November.

"Operation was successful and can't wait to get back to playing football," he said on X., external

"The recovery process has started straight after operation and it's going pretty smoothly and fast.

"Thanks for your support and prayers. Take care."

Stryjek thanked Killie for providing medical care and his family and friends.

The former Wycombe and Livingston keeper joined Stuart Kettlewell's side in July from Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Killie's home draw at the weekend may well have ended our horrendous run of defeats but in reality it changed nothing.

One point from a possible 21 is unacceptable at any level and with three difficult fixtures ahead it's hard to see where the points will come from.

The manager should be replaced now before too much damage is done - the similarities to our relegation season are all too obvious.

On Wednesday we travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts, who are also on a poor run of form but will see this as a chance to get back on track.

Killie need to try to play on any frailties. Keeping the Hearts fans quiet is a priority as they will soon let their feelings known.

After Tynecastle we are at home to Rangers on Saturday night. We normally give them a good game at Rugby Park so here's hoping that continues.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Kilmarnock's penalty in their 1-1 draw with Dundee United was "soft" but the right decision, according to former Rugby Park striker Steven Naismith.

The draw earned Steven Kettlewell's side their first point since their victory over St Mirren at the start of October.

United defender Krisztian Keresztes was penalised for a challenge on Marley Watkins to conceded a spot-kick. Bruce Anderson had his penalty saved by Dave Richards, but the striker converted the rebound.

"It's soft, but in the box, as a striker, you're just waiting for contact," said Sportscene pundit.

"He makes the header, the ball goes straight and the defender makes contact with the striker, Marley Watkins. So I'm saying penalty.

"They're both going for it, but the striker has made contact, the defender hasn't."

Watch all the highlights as Dundee United come from behind to earn a point in a controversial Scottish Premiership draw at Kilmarnock.

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We asked for your views after Kilmarnock ended their losing run with a 1-1 draw against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what some of you said:

Ali: I cannot see how things can get better unless we make a change. I understand how hard that is for the owners but Stuart Kettlewell's lost the fans and quite clearly he's lost the dressing room. Financially, we can plan for next season but when you're having to factor in a possible relegation as well that becomes very scary. Either Kettlewell goes, or he has to get results any way possible as soon as possible. We don't have time to waste. If Killie go down again, we won't come back up. I guarantee it.

James: A draw is better than a defeat, but honestly there is nothing to celebrate here. We have an away game to Hearts, a home game against Rangers and then an away game to Aberdeen. Is there anyone out there honestly thinking we will get anything out of these three games? What a record that will be, no win in 10 games. This is so depressing.

John: Fortunate outcome after another torturous performance. Our strikers are simply awful and bereft of any goalscoring ability, a lucky rebound following a penalty save was the only opportunity taken. Bruce Anderson is lost and was genuinely surprised when the ball landed anywhere near him, Marley Watkins is a clueless passenger, terrible. We continue to play linear, backward or route one balls to nobody, there's no creativity from midfield, David Watson is clearly set on leaving and has been ineffective as a creative midfielder. Championship football is the reality.

Robert: Not great but better. Generally defended better but still too frantic. Liked Jack Thomson coming on who seemed capable off taking the ball and finding a pass. Bit to go yet but more encouraged.

Stephen: A more positive starting line-up and a decent enough first half, but the second-half substitutions weakened us and allowed United to dominate. While avoiding defeat was welcome, a draw isn't good enough. This team has a similar vibe to the one that was relegated in 2020-21- lazy managerial appointment, poor recruitment and lack of leadership on and off the park. Worryingly, there's been a noticeable drop off in home support too and apathy is setting in. We need to turn this around. Soon.