Kilmarnock

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Stuart Kettlewell is believed to have won over Kilmarnock fans after a "lukewarm" reception to his appointment.

Killie secured their first win of the Premiership season with a 2-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice, having drawn four and lost one of their opening five league games.

Kettlewell resigned as Motherwell manager in January after two years at the club, citing the personal abuse he received following a downturn in results.

He took over from now Hearts manager Derek McInnes at Killie in May in an unpopular move with some fans fearing the worst.

But Stephen McGowan, a football writer for The Herald, says there are "a lot of good things" happening at the club.

"There was a lukewarm reception for him when he went in there," McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It was a tough act to follow on from Derek McInnes, but even though they weren't winning games until the weekend, they were giving a good account of themselves.

"It was very unfortunate they did not take a point against Celtic.

"I think they've recruited well. They've got good young players in David Watson and Ben Brannan and it's really a positive outlook for Kilmarnock.

"They're moving to a new training ground fairly shortly so there's a lot of good things happening there.

"After his traumatic experience at Motherwell, I think he probably deserves a break."

Watch Sportscene analysis of Bruce Anderson's impact for Kilmarnock in their 2-0 victory at Tannadice.

Watch all the action from Kilmarnock's 2-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 2-0 win against Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

David: Positive performance once more. We wouldn't have won that under the previous management. Consistency is key, build momentum for next week.

Frank: Very polished, professional performance. Could have scored more goals. Defence were solid, midfield creative, especially young David Watson. Bruce Anderson looks sharp as a needle, he should be used as main striker with another. Still some good players to come back to full fitness. Looking solid at present.

Danny: Fantastic result, what we have been needing. Early days, don't see why we can't finish top-six this season. More than matched every team so far and should have beaten Celtic, who only won through a dodgy refereeing decision helping them cheat a win.

Robert: An outstanding performance especially away from home. Maybe we are seeing the green shoots of a winning away record that put last season's lack of away wins into distant memory.

Charlie: Good result for Kilmarnock. An away win they have been sadly lacking in the last few years. Kilmarnock were clearly the better side on the day.

David: Delighted for Stuart Kettlewell to get the result at Tannadice and it could have been more! Well done to everyone involved and especially Watson. What an engine that lad has!

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Defender Robbie Deas believes Kilmarnock fully deserved their victory over Dundee United on Saturday after a strong start to the season.

Deas was on the scoresheet as Killie ran out deserved 2-0 winners against an on form United side.

It was Killie's first victory of the Premiership campaign, having drawn four and lost one of their previous five league games.

"I think we have been unfortunate so far this season with some of the results," the 25-year-old said.

"Then again we have had two really good points away from home at Hibs and Motherwell,

"Tannadice is a tough place to come and to come here and get the three points and a clean sheet was huge.

"I think our performances have been good and we have just been missing that final edge and I think we showed that [on Saturday].

"Each game we watch back and we look at the positives and the negatives and what we can do better as a team and we work on those things. I think it is really important and I think we as a team have been thriving off it.

"We have got that many characters and I am just delighted we could put a good performance in and get the three points."

The centre-back scored for the second game in a row when he headed beyond Yevhenii Kucherenko in the Dundee United goal.

Although initially the United keeper had appeared to keep it out, the goal was awarded after it was deemed to have crossed the line by officials.

"I had a good view of it and I was pretty certain [it had crossed the line] but you never know," Deas added.

"A few decisions recently haven't really gone our way so I wasn't really holding my breath but I am glad it went our way and I got another goal.

"It is a part of the game I have been trying to add to for ages so I am delighted I have got two in two so hopefully I can build upon that but at the same time I just wanted the three points and the boys to play well."

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Kilmarnock recorded their first win of the Scottish Premiership season in style as they dispatched a meek Dundee United at Tannadice.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "Scoring two goals away from home, getting a clean sheet. The performance was excellent.

"We tip-toed into it, both teams were a wee bit loose in possession at times. We felt there was space for us to exploit if we could connect. We started doing that. If I'm being really fussy I felt we could have scored a few more goals.

"I didn't feel we were a million miles away from where we wanted to be. Did we execute them game plan pretty well against St Mirren and Celtic? Yes.

"Two bitter blows cost us, and there might have been some negativity. Today, we got our just rewards for the performance and that gave the players a bit of extra confidence and belief.

"It's not been a million miles from what we've had all season. The level of consistency has been excellent. We won't get too carried away."

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Ryan Strain is back in contention for United, while Kristijan Trapanovski is set to return the following weekend. Isaac Pappoe (knee), Ross Graham and Max Watters (both hamstring) remain out.

Kilmarnock captain Brad Lyons is back in training, while Scott Tiffoney played 45 minutes for the B team in midweek as he works his way back from a calf injury. Jamie Brandon, Matty Kennedy and Tom Lowery are expected to remain on the sidelines.

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Stuart Kettlewell is working on improving Kilmarnock's away form but says there is no "magic wand" to fix it.

The Rugby Park manager, who was appointed in the summer, is looking to secure a first league victory of the season when his side visit Dundee United on Saturday.

Killie only won seven away games in their previous two campaigns, but have recorded draws at Easter Road and Fir Park this term so far.

"It's obviously something I looked at when I came into the football club," said Kettlewell.

"It was something that was discussed way, way back at the end of May.

"But there's never a magic wand in this. The way my mind works is that sometimes the game's going to feel different here than it does away from home. And again, we've practised that way.

"So when we go into an away fixture, it doesn't mean to say that we're going to work the exact same way during the week. We'll work slightly different. We'll maybe try and change the mindset.

"There'll be a few tweaks and changes to your gameplan because it is away from home and you're playing against a team that's obviously doing well.

"Dundee United had a 2-0 victory [against Aberdeen] through the week there. You're playing against a team full of confidence. So, I do believe in those slight alterations during the week to try and get to that game.

"I'm not going to give you exactly what that is and how that's going to look. But it's been a different preparation than it was to Celtic, different preparation from the cup game against St Mirren. And that's how I've always worked.

"Whether that changes, that statistic, that form, it's certainly something I believe in and it's certainly something I think can get us some more points on the road."

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Stuart Kettlewell doesn't "envisage any hangovers" from Kilmarnock's double painful penalty blow as they prepare for a trip to Tannadice.

The manager's nine-match unbeaten run ended with a controversial stoppage-time penalty against Celtic, followed by a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final shootout exit to St Mirren.

However, the Killie boss is hopeful that his side will bounce back in the league against third-placed Dundee United on Saturday.

"The focus has been great, the quality and application on the pitch has been first class, and the mood and the body language is what I would expect it to be," said Kettlewell.

"I don't envisage any hangovers from two massive blows. It's about working hard to try and come out the other side of that, to make sure that you change your fortunes.

"It's not so much that we feel that we need to change loads, it's just that we probably feel we need to come out the right side of a decision, maybe a break of the ball, a little bit of luck, because we don't feel we're too far away."

The manager stressed he didn't feel the need to intervene with the "close-knit group" amid their recent pain and that the squad support each other sufficiently.

"The lads are very, very comfortable in their environment," he added.

"I don't go into the dressing room – it's always been the way I've worked – until the match day.

"They've got various activities, a bit of table tennis, they throw some darts, just to have that light-hearted mood and be able to bring yourself back down to a level and spend a wee bit of time with your mates.

"We've got guys that stay local and they're a really close-knit group. A lot of them are new faces and new lads that you can see that are gelling really well."

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• Since losing four consecutive home league games against Kilmarnock from November 2000 to August 2002, Dundee United have only lost three of their past 26 at home to Killie in the top flight (W12 D11).

• Kilmarnock have lost just one of their past nine Scottish Premiership meetings with Dundee United (W4 D4), and none of their latest five (W3 D2) since going down 4-0 in November 2022.

• Dundee United have lost just one of their past six league games (W3 D2), recording as many wins in that period (three) as in their previous 10 matches (D1 L6).

• Kilmarnock have won just one of their past 15 away games in the Scottish Premiership (D4 L10), a 2-0 victory at eventually relegated St Johnstone in May.

• Dundee United's Ivan Dolcek is the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this season with five goals in five games so far, with four of his five goals coming from set-pieces (3x throws, 1x direct free-kick).

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

VAR was the big talking point again last week with several glaring errors - not least Killie being done out of a draw against Celtic - highlighted by the Scottish FA's review panel.

In the League Cup quarter-final at Rugby Park both teams chose to not use VAR and, ironically, had it been there we may well have won.

There was a stonewall penalty missed as Dominic Thompson's second-half free-kick was deliberately blocked by a flailing arm but the referee didn't see it.

Personally I don't care. The introduction of VAR has ruined so much of the beautiful game and sucked the enjoyment out it - I'd ditch it tomorrow.

Of course we are now out the cup and winless in the league so it's time to knuckle down and get some points on the board.

Injuries are costing us dearly and the return of Brad Lyons, Jamie Brandon and Scott Tiffoney would help as every game we have played has been very tight.

Benn Brannan looked excellent once again when he was introduced on Friday and must be a starter at Tannadice on Saturday.

Dundee United are playing well and have recruited well but we have beaten them in the cup so must take some belief from that. No doubt it will be tough but I can see it being a 1-1 stalemate.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie thinks his loan switch to Danish second tier side Esbjerg can be the launchpad to properly realising his potential and harbours ambitions of a return to Rangers one day. (Daily Record), external

We asked for your thoughts after Kilmarnock were beaten on penalties in their Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against St Mirren.

Here's what you had to say:

James: Very disappointed to lose. It was a very good game between two evenly matched teams. The subs certainly made a difference and I felt Killie finished the stronger team and you couldn't fault their effort. I think we're missing Brad Lyons in midfield and the sooner we get Matty Kennedy back the better, but that's not going to be anytime soon.

Stephen: Not a hard luck story for me. Thought we were a bit fortunate to get to extra time, but our penalty shootout record is awful. Once again our lack of depth was exposed and we have missed a real opportunity to get to a cup semi-final. We are desperately poor up front and we need another two David Watsons in midfield. Another terrific performance from him, full of heart, grit and determination but he's being let down by what's beside and in front of him. Hopefully Stuart Kettlewell is scouring the free agent list as we need to start picking up wins in the league now or we are going to struggle.

Kenny: A disappointing result for Killie and two outstanding performances from Watson and James Brown but unfortunately the same can't be said for Liam Polworth yet again. Kettlewell continues to pick players who just can't put in the performance that the club needs. Well done St Mirren.

Anna: Dom Thompson had a cracking game and fair play to Stuart kettlewell for making his substitutions when they still had time to get into the game, unlike previous managers I could mention. It was tough to take but I saw enough fighting spirit there to know we'll be OK this season.

David: Cracking cup tie but Killie just didn't have the ability to convert opportunities into goals. Jury is still out on Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels. Watson was immense - what an engine on him. Thompson also a standout.

A flawless penalty shootout performance helped St Mirren secure a Premier Sports Cup semi-final as they edged past a stubborn Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Malik Dijksteel, who scored the winning spot-kick in the previous round against Hearts, converted from 12 yards after Kyle Magennis missed for the hosts.

Read the full match report here.

Give us your thoughts on the game.

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "We've been dealt two of the most bitter blows you're going to get in the space of six days, losing a penalty shootout and losing a goal like we did against Celtic.

"It was a proper cup tie, quality and fighting spirit. Unfortunately, our group have come out on the wrong side of it.

"Really disappointed, but we'll pick ourselves up and go again. You do that when you're a good professional.

"There's moments today where we could have had a bit more quality in our delivery and movement in the box. That's not a criticism, it's something we have to work on.

"We need to retain the ball better at times, and if we do that, it might buy us the luck we've not had in the past couple of weeks."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Stephen Robinson has revealed he's become a Rugby Park regular recently - and so has his wife.

Never mind a leisurely Sunday lunch or romantic walks in the countryside. The Robinsons have been on reconnaissance missions with a future date at Hampden in mind.

Robinson's St Mirren play Kilmarnock in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday, and the hosts have been well scouted as the Buddies seek just a second win at Rugby Park since 2013.

"I've watched a lot of Killie. It's my local team, so I get to see them. I've dragged my wife along every Sunday to watch them lately," said Robinson.

"They've got some very, very good players. They have a lot of physicality on the team, but also a mix of really talented boys as well. It would be nice to get one over on them.

"We go there confident after our start to the league season but it's a tough game. It's an opportunity for both sides."

Robinson wants to reward the Saints support by securing a semi-final trip to Hampden.

He added: "I've said to the players, sometimes these opportunities sometimes come around once in a career, so you have to grab these opportunities.

"It can bring the whole town together. It can really lift people's spirits, people rely on this football club. A lot of times it's their life and what they cling on to. So we'll be doing everything in our power to make sure we're in that semi-final.

"You see the display the fans put on last Saturday in the league match away at Falkirk and what they've done during the season, the amount of effort and time and money that's spent on it. You'd love to reward them.

"We feel like we've earned this opportunity because it's been a long time in the making. We started right at the early rounds and had some really good performances."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Long-serving Kilmarnock midfielder Rory McKenzie admits reaching a cup final with a chance to lift silverware is a driving force at this stage of his career.

Kilmarnock host St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals on Friday evening with the victor guaranteed a trip to Hampden in the last four.

McKenzie was out on loan in 2012 and watched from the stands when the Ayrshire side lifted the League Cup, a feat he thinks the club should have come closer to repeating in the intervening years.

"I think there should be [more trophy success since] but you can never guarantee anything," the 31-year-old said.

"I think we need to look at St Johnstone [winning the League Cup and Scottish Cup], just a few years ago. We can take a lot from that. I think in the last few years, especially, luck of the draw as well comes into it a bit.

"It's almost cliche, but every manager that gets the job, they talk about that, that not many players get a chance to win trophies.

"Especially at a club like Kilmarnock, I've experienced it once, winning the Championship, but to have a cup run and get to a final and to win another trophy, a cup, would be the icing on the cake for me."

McKenzie, a Killie academy graduate who is in his testimonial season, has one solitary appearance at the national stadium.

He started in the 2-0 League Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic in January 2023, a scoreline that did little justice to the performance Kilmarnock produced on the day as they pushed the eventual trophy winners all the way.

"I've only been there once," he said. "It's probably the only thing that needs ticked off for me personally. The occasion last time against Celtic was a really enjoyable one and one that we've been close to a few times. It's never happened since, so it'd mean a lot.

"I think there have been a few occasions that we were just about there. My experience last time against Celtic, it was just so different to anything that I'd had before playing at Hampden, in front of so many people and doing really well as well.

"You can never expect to get there. I feel kind of disappointed that we haven't taken advantage of a few of the games."

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The draw for the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals will take place on Sunday after Partick Thistle v Celtic (15:30 BST) concludes.

The semis will be played on the weekend of 1-2 November with the final scheduled for Sunday, 14 December.

St Mirren's trip to Kilmarnock on Friday night (19:45) gets the quarter-finals under way before Aberdeen host Motherwell (15:00) on Saturday followed by Rangers v Hibs (17:45).

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell believes a "standard" has been set in what should be considered a penalty for handball after Celtic were controversially awarded an added-time spot-kick, which led to a 2-1 defeat for the Ayrshire side on Sunday.

The ball ricocheted on to Lewis Mayo's hands from close range, which were up in front of his chest, with referee John Beaton awarding a penalty after being called to review his original decision by the VAR.

Kettlewell now expects to see many more incidents of that nature penalised.

"My conclusion that I draw under it is, we see an awful lot of penalties, and a lot that people are going to be really, really frustrated by," he said.

"Everything I'll question is, if those incidents aren't giving us penalties then that one was wrong. If they are giving them there's a consistency in that.

"I would be amazed if you speak to any clubs that want that to be given as a penalty. Now I believe we've set a standard in what's going to be a penalty, so I would envisage that those types of scenarios, and maybe even not as harsh as that, I would imagine that they will now be given.

"There has to be a consistency in the decision-making within the games. I think we have set a precedent on Sunday here of what's going to be given as a penalty."

The former Motherwell and Ross County boss confirmed he has not sought clarification from Scottish FA head of referee operations Willie Collum, having previously been under the impression that incidents of that nature would not be punished.

Ahead of the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at home to St Mirren on Friday evening, Kettlewell believes his side are playing well, despite being unable to win any of their opening five Premiership fixtures.

"We've been fine," he said. "We want more from ourselves, we want to win games of football.

"What spin do we put on statistics? Unbeaten in nine or do we want to say that we've not won in the league? It depends what way you look at it.

"I can guarantee you at that point just now they're performing at a high level, the confidence is good and I think generally when you're in that place then it gives you a chance in your next game."