Kilmarnock

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.

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Kilmarnock have signed Dominic Thompson after the 25-year-old left-back left Scottish Premiership rivals Motherwell.

The Londoner made 15 appearances for Well, 11 of them starts, after signing a short-term deal in January following his exit from Blackpool.

Thompson was a product of Arsenal's academy before spells with Brentford, Swindon Town and Ipswich Town then in 2022 joined Blackpool, from whom he spent a spell on loan to Forest Green Rovers before his move to Fir Park.

He is available to make his Kilmarnock debut as their Scottish Premiership season gets under way on Saturday at home to promoted Livingston.

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell revealed he had lost two unnamed players to injury in training this week. Jack Thomson is back training but not ready to feature.

Livingston striker Jeremy Bokila is pushing for his debut but Aidan Denholm faces a scan on a hamstring injury.

Connor McLennan and Cristian Montano are not far off fitness while Cammy Kerr faces a lengthy spell of rehab.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock defender Lewis Mayo admits he has already been impressed by the early-season impact of young wing-back Ben Brannan.

Brannan captained the Under-18s as Kilmarnock lifted the Scottish Youth Cup in May after a spell on loan in League One with Inverness CT.

His progress has continued with three goals and three starts in the League Cup campaign, where Killie topped their group, and he has now been rewarded with a new three-year contract.

"We already knew how good a player he was, but he's really stepped up," Mayo said.

"His composure in front of the goal has been brilliant as well. He had a good loan, you can see in training how much he benefited from that.

"I think he carries a bit of belief in himself and that's credit to him. He looked like he came back from his loan with a lot of confidence but that's the purpose of it.

"He's coming back into this environment feeling he's got something to add, he's got something to bring with him and I think that's really shown with his performances."

Mayo, who revealed one of his ambitions is to earn Scotland recognition this season, drew comparisons with team-mate David Watson who broke through at a young age to become a fixture in the first team.

"They bring an enthusiasm, an energy," he said. "I think David Watson epitomised that.

"He was really young when he got his first chance and he didn't look it at all with his performances.

"At times I felt he was, at that age, still carrying the fight for our team.

"So I think he's probably the best example of someone that, coming into this environment, comes in just full of enthusiasm and belief."

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• Kilmarnock have won three of their past four top-fight matches against Livingston (D1), as many as their previous 11 beforehand (W3 D1 L7).

• Livingston have lost eight of their past 10 top-fight away games at Kilmarnock (W2), including each of their last three in a row.

• Kilmarnock have won on matchday one in just two of their past 14 top-fight seasons (D4 L8), although both were home wins (2-0 v St Johnstone in 2018-19 and 1-0 v Rangers in 2023-24).

• Since 2011-12, only two of 18 newly-promoted sides have lost on the opening of a Scottish top-fight season (W5 D11), although the last of those was Livingston in 2018-19, who lost 3-1 to Celtic (also Hamilton losing 2-0 to Inverness CT in 2014-15).

• Livingston haven't won on matchday one of a top-fight campaign since 2004-05 (3-0 v Inverness CT), failing in seven attempts since (D2 L5).

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Stuart Kettlewell has challenged rising star Ben Brannan to become a first-team regular at Kilmarnock after the 18-year-old signed a new three-year deal.

Midfielder Brannan, who is now tied down to summer 2028, made his senior Killie debut in the League Cup group stage this season and scored three goals in three appearances to help Kettlewell's side progress to a second-round tie with Dundee United.

"Ben is a player who has impressed me since day one," said manager Kettlewell.

"He has all the right attributes that we are looking for to be an important part of the squad.

"We are delighted Ben has decided to sign this deal and we're confident we can help him work towards his high potential.

"I've made no secret about the fact young players will get the chance if they're ready, and now it's up to Ben to stake his claim for a regular spot.

"It has been a great start this season for him but now it's important he builds on that."

Brannan spent time on loan at Inverness Caley Thistle last season and captained Kilmarnock Under-18s to Scottish Youth Cup success.

"It was a really easy decision to sign this deal," he said.

"I've started getting game time this season, I now want to build on that and try and become a regular and make a spot in the team my own, I just need to do the best I can and keep working hard."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Manager Stuart Kettlewell believes success can be measured in three ways as he prepares for his first Premiership game in charge of Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Having already topped their League Cup group, with a second-round tie against Dundee United to come in August, the former Motherwell and Ross County boss is clear on what a positive season looks like for the Rugby Park side, who host Livingston in the season opener.

"Your league position, a cup run and the potential of selling a football player," he explained.

"We talk about ways to make football clubs grow and earn money and for the wheel to keep turning. There are only three ways that that can happen.

"From a manager's perspective, your league position, being as high as it possibly can be, a cup run and that player development to sell a player are the three goals, that's the main ones."

Kettlewell was reluctant to pinpoint specific aims in terms of reaching the top six or initially focussing on Premiership safety this term, but did suggest the former may be the initial goal.

"It's safe to say that we have lofty aspirations of where we want to be," he said.

"As long as my players and the staff and everybody at the football club understands what that looks like, what success is, what failure looks like, then that's really all I'm concerned about. Sometimes those goals can shift as well.

"Sometimes it's a scenario where you do that a little bit better and you think that you can push boundaries even further than what might be expected.

"I think it's safe to say that the goals that we all set will be difficult to obtain, but we think also achievable."

Meanwhile, 18-year-old forward Reuben Cooper - who scored the winner in the Scottish Youth Cup final triumph over Dundee in April - has left Kilmarnock to join Norwich City.

"It's a big step in my career, it's something I've always hoped would happen and something I've always chased," Cooper said.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell has been talking to the media before the Scottish Premiership opener at home to promoted Livingston on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• After topping their League Cup group, Kettlewell insists the next short-term target is to simply "get three points on the board" as early as possible but to keep a "consistent mindset" and "believe in what we are trying to do".

• He was reluctant to outline specific targets for the season publicly but did say "we have lofty ambitions of where we want to be" and that "goals that we all set will be difficult to obtain, but we also think achievable".

• The former Motherwell and Ross County boss insists success will be determined in three ways - "your league position, a cup run and the potential of selling a player".

• Killie had the poorest away record in the top flight last season and Kettlewell wants a better balance of results at home and on road - a "split of points as close to 50-50 as you possibly can" - adding that achieving this will make his side "competitive every week".

• He expects a different kind of challenge in the Premiership given recruitment at other clubs, with less physicality and different ideas.

• On recruitment, Kettlewell admits the departure of Corrie Ndaba does leave the squad short but an "offer was made that the club couldn't refuse" by Italian side Lecce.

• Jack Thomson is back in training but there are a couple of players with knocks that potentially may be missing this weekend.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

Welcome all Killie fans to another season of ecstatic highs, depressing lows and everything in between. With all the changes since last season both in management and personnel I have lowered my expectations for the new campaign.

There appears to have been a reduction in budget so I see this as a season of stabilisation and safety is always the priority.

However, there are fine margins between many teams so who knows how high we can climb.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

It may take a while for the new signings to settle in but I'm encouraged by what I've seen so far. We didn't concede a goal during the League Cup group stages and a lot of credit has to go to new keeper Max Stryjek.

We have suffered in previous seasons with below-par goalies, however I fancy the big man will prove to be our most important signing.

What do you want from your manager this season?

The early signs have been encouraging and although the arrival of Stuart Kettlewell wasn't universally popular it seems the fanbase are warming to his style of play.

The manager also appears keen to give youth a chance so if he can steady this ship for a season the future may yet be bright.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

One glaring reason for optimism is the emergence of young Ben Brannan, who looks like a proper star of the future. He could be a real asset for Killie and priority has to be to get him tied up on a long-term deal.

What is your one major concern?

It's hard to judge how the season is going to pan out until the league action starts so there is a worry that too many changes all at once could see us take a while to find our best personnel and formation.

Hopefully we find our feet quickly and Killie fans can look forward to lots of entertaining football, unlike previous years.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

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Stuart Kettlewell aims to develop a "conveyor belt" of talent at Kilmarnock after Corrie Ndaba's departure to Serie A side Lecce for a "significant" fee.

The 25-year-old left-back signed a three-year deal at Rugby Park last summer after impressing on loan but manager Kettlewell says the plan for Ndaba was always to move on.

"We definitely have to look to bring in another one or two just to gain that balance to our squad," he told Sky Sports.

"With regards to Corrie, I only worked with him for a short period of time but he's a lad I really like as a person first and foremost and a really talented player. A big part of why you come here is you know we are a selling club. There's no hiding from that.

"We always want to get the best value for players but it's been a huge part of my remit in my previous two clubs as a manager and it'll be a part of what we want to do here.

"We want to develop players, ideally our own, but you know in somebody like Ndaba there's been a plan there that he comes here, he does well and the potential of that sell on and what people need to realise is that sale was significant.

"The number and the price towards the football club is significant. I've never been a doom and gloom guy with those types of scenarios. Of course you want to work with the best players but we need to try and create that conveyor belt.

"If we lose any players for significant value for the football club then we have to ensure that we try and replace them and we try and go through that process again and again and again and there's been a lot of positives in terms of players showing up well so far for us. We look to continue now."

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Kilmarnock youngster Grant Marchant has joined Albion Rovers on loan as part of a co-operation agreement.

The midfielder heads to Cliftonhill as part of the agreement which aims to give more opportunities to young Scottish players, allowing them to move freely between both clubs throughout the season.

Fellow teenager Samuel Duruh joins Coatbridge on a temporary deal for the upcoming season out with the co-operation agreement.