Kilmarnock

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Kilmarnock gaffer Neil McCann admitted he has been impressed by the work Simo Valakari has done at St Johnstone, as the two sides prepare to meet in the league's opening weekend.

The Finn brought St Johnstone straight back up from the Championship at the first time of asking last season, although they exited the Premier Sports Cup at the group stage.

"Simo has done really well with the group," McCann said. "It's not easy when you get relegated, but he stayed with the process.

"He's got a really distinctive way of playing. He stuck to it and it's brave. He earned a lot of plaudits last year and earned promotion back to the Premiership."

Kilmarnock travel to Perth on Sunday in a 2pm kick-off, looking to get off to a good start after their 10th-placed finish last season.

"We know it's going to be a tough game," McCann admitted. They will be really disappointed they didn't come through in the Cup.

"That will be a tough one for Simo to take but I'm pretty sure the long game for them is about consolidating their position in the Premiership and getting over the hit of missing out on the League Cup and trying to have a strong season."

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St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari has a full-strength squad to select from.

New Kilmarnock defender Johnly Yfeko could make his debut but Robbie Deas is suspended after picking up too many yellow cards last season.

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Kilmarnock have completed their second signing of the day, adding defender Johnly Yfeko from Exeter City for an undisclosed fee.

Yfeko has signed a two-year deal to join fellow new arrival, German full-back Jonathan Meier, at Rugby Park.

Former Rangers defender Yfeko, 23, played 31 games in two seasons with Exeter.

He previously made one appearance for Rangers after coming through the youth ranks at Tottenham and Leicester City.

The 23-year-old, described by Kilmarnock as a "powerful centre-back who can also play at left-back" is the club's eighth summer recruit.

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann is hopeful his side can build on the optimism around the club as they prepare to start their Scottish Premiership campaign.

The Ayrshire side finished strongly last season with four wins in a row to avoid any relegation turmoil and are unbeaten in four competitive outings this season.

Killie topped their Premier Sports Cup group stage to earn a home draw in the last 16 against neighbours Ayr United, have a new hybrid grass pitch at Rugby Park, and a state-of-the-art £1.5m training facility now in operation.

Newly-promoted St Johnstone are the first test for McCann's side this weekend and the boss hopes his side can keep the momentum rolling.

"It's been a great pre-season," he said.

"I've been really pleased with it. Boys have come back in good condition, managed to add some numbers to the squad.

"And then slowly but surely integrate them into how we want to play, into the team.

"It's never easy pre-season, trying to get up to speed. I've already spoken about the League Cup section. I think the main priority is coming through that unscathed, make sure you're in the draw.

"And we have a cracking draw to look forward to against our neighbours."

Kilmarnock fans have been buoyed by a slew of new signings and holding on to key players from last year such as Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Hugill, with stalwart Aaron Tshibola also returning to the club.

The manager wants his players to do their newly-laid pitch justice with their home performances.

"I'm really optimistic. I think the fans have a lot optimism, given how we finished last season, and that's really positive, hopefully that's reflective in the numbers that come in to see us," McCann added.

"And then we've got a job to do, we've got a job to back that support up, the fans were brilliant last season, I expect them to be brilliant this season.

"You've probably seen the pitch, I'm so excited because it's the way Rugby Park should be, it's a terrific stadium and now we have one of the best pitches in the league and hopefully this season we can do it justice by playing some good football."

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Kilmarnock have bolstered their squad with the signing of German full-back Jonathan Meier before the Scottish Premiership season opener.

Meier, 26, moves to Rugby Park on a two-year deal after leaving SSV Ulm following their relegation from Germany's third tier.

A former Bayern Munich youth player, Meier also has first-team experience at Dynamo Dresden and Hansa Rostock in his homeland's lower leagues.

He is Killie's seventh new recruit before the league curtain-raiser at St Johnstone on Sunday.

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• Kilmarnock have only won their opening game in two of their last 15 top-flight seasons (losing eight of them), beating St Johnstone 2-0 in 2018-19 and Rangers 1-0 in 2023-24.

• St Johnstone are winless on the opening day in each of their last seven Scottish Premiership seasons (losing five) since beating Kilmarnock 2-1 in 2017-18.

• Since and including 2015-16, just one of 14 newly promoted sides has lost on the opening day (winning five of them), with Livingston going down 3-1 away to Celtic in 2018-19. The last promoted side to lose at home were Hamilton Academical in 2014-15 (2-0 v Inverness Caledonian Thistle).

• Kilmarnock have drawn each of the last three occasions they have faced a newly promoted side on the opening day: 0-0 v Dundee in 2012-13, 1-1 v Dundee in 2014-15 and 2-2 v Livingston in 2025-26.

• St Johnstone have lost four of their last six Premiership games against Kilmarnock (winning the other two), including both of their last two. Saints last lost three in a row to Killie in the competition in August 2018 – the third of which was on the opening day.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Four games, no defeats or goals conceded in 90 minutes, it's been a stellar start to the season defensively for Kilmarnock.

At the other end of the pitch, though, alarm bells may soon be ringing.

Across 360 minutes of Premier Sports Cup action, Neil McCann's side could only muster two goals: a last-minute winner against Elgin City and a second-half strike against Hamilton Academical.

A strong finish to last season avoided any relegation trouble, with Joe Hugill scoring eight goals in 15 appearances, while Tyreece John-Jules scored five in his final four games before an injury ruled him out of the last stretch of matches.

Despite both playing the majority of minutes so far, and summer signing Ieuan Owen, who scored 19 goals for Barry Town United, also starting twice, they have struggled desperately to find a clinical touch.

Only Hugill has notched so far, with a late winner against Elgin, and the side's lack of creativity in the final third has been a worry for fans.

Manager McCann is unfazed, recently saying: "I think we showed last year that we are a team with a real cutting edge about us once we hit high gears and we click."

Meanwhile, new captain Greg Kiltie - who scored against Hamilton - says he has "full faith" that chances will be converted.

A slow, tepid start to last season soon led to then-manager Stuart Kettlewell losing his job and another this year could pile early pressure on McCann and co.

However, John-Jules and Hugill showed their capabilities last season, particularly in big games, and will both know the pressure is on to hit the ground running when the league campaign starts against St Johnstone on Sunday.

New recruit Owen is a pacey, direct forward who is ready to take the step up from the Welsh Premier League, while fellow addition Erik Ring is a technical wide forward who has spent two seasons in League One with Lincoln City.

Fan-favourite Aaron Tshibola's return in the middle of the park also gives the side a composed influence in the middle of the park, something that could prove to be vital as he gets back to match sharpness.

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Neil McCann is hopeful of adding at least one new face before Kilmarnock's Premiership opener at St Johnstone on Sunday.

In his first summer window as Killie boss, McCann has added five new permanent signings - plus midfielder Bailey Rice on loan from Rangers - after several players departed. Killie also re-signed Aaron Tshibola after his World Cup adventure with DR Congo.

While McCann insists he's happy with the squad, he's hopeful of at least two new arrivals before the window closes and, amid links with Exeter City defender Johnly Yfeko, one of those could be in the building before the weekend's trip to Perth.

"I think we've done very good business," McCann told Sky Sports.

"Hopefully we get one or two more in again to add to that number and then we'll be set for the season. The new guys will need a bedding in period but I'm hopeful the new signings and maybe one or two more can really give Kilmarnock a team to be proud of.

"I'm very hopeful we might get one in before the weekend but if we don't I'm really pleased with what we've got."

New players aren't the only big change happening in Ayrshire.

Kilmarnock played their League Cup group stage games at Beechwood Park, home of Auchinleck Talbot, while their new grass pitch was being laid.

McCann is impressed with the new surface and believes it will help his team's performances.

"The pitch is sensational already," he added.

"It's laid on top of what was the astroturf last year so it's completely flat. I'm told by the groundsmen that in the next week or so it's going to really thicken up and be a surface that will rival any in the country.

"I think it's going to help us having the grass pitch. I think every top league should have the grass pitches and we're in a very fortunate position that this will be one of the best in the country, hopefully that can benefit how we want to play."

Kilmarnock are closing in on a deal for former Rangers defender Johnly Yfeko, who has been with Exeter City for the past two years. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

I am still full of close-season optimism and fancy us for a top-six finish. That may seem a bit ambitious but we were fourth in the overall form table from January onwards even if that is a bit skewed by the split.

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

The re-signing of Aaron Tshibola is fantastic as he was the main reason that we survived the last campaign. We are still desperate for an influential centre-back, that should be our next signing.

What do you want from your manager this season?

Simply to continue the good work that was on display for all to see at the back end of last season. His recruitment in January was key to our upturn in form so more of the same please.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

Joe Hugill was superb after he signed in January and if he keeps up his goalscoring form we could be in for a good season. The club did well to extend his stay at Killie as he could attract a bumper transfer fee in the future.

What is your one major concern?

Time will tell but we are desperately in need of a stalwart centre-half as we are short in numbers in that area. I would hope that will be our next signing in the near future.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

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Kilmarnock have sold left-back Dominic Thompson to Belgian top-flight club Beveren.

The 25-year-old Englishman, who has signed a two-year contract with the side who won the Challenger Pro League to earn promotion last season, joined Kilmarnock from Scottish Premiership rivals Motherwell last summer.

He had initially signed a one-year contract at Rugby Park but subsequently agreed an extension during last season.

Thompson told Beveren's website he was pleased to join a team that "comes into this with a lot of confidence after an incredible unbeaten season".

Thompson made 41 appearances for Kilmarnock, 30 of them starts, but was a substitute for the final four games as new manager Neil McCann steered his side clear of relegation trouble.

He scored once and provided five assists.

The Londoner started his career with Brentford and played for Swindon Town, Ipswich Town, Blackpool and Forest Green Rovers before joining Motherwell in January 2025.

Beveren general manager Sports Bob Peeters added: "He is an explosive and athletic player with strong footballing qualities.

"With his speed and intensity, he can provide extra impetus on our left flank. On top of that, he has the mentality and mindset we need in 1A, which fits perfectly with SK Beveren."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Greg Kiltie has "full faith" Kilmarnock will find their scoring form once the Premiership season gets under way.

Despite creating a slew of chances, the Ayrshire side drew a blank in a goalless draw at Peterhead in their final Premier Sports Cup group game on Saturday.

Despite losing the penalty shootout, a point was enough to ensure they finished top of Group H and progressed to the last 16.

Kilmarnock scored just twice in four cup games, although they did keep clean sheets every time.

"You take the positives from the clean-sheets, defensively really good," said midfielder Kiltie.

"We know that we need to take the chances, we had plenty today that we could have but I am sure when the games open up and the league starts then we will take them. I have full faith in that.

"We are getting in to areas. It would be different if we were keeping a clean sheets and we weren't creating anything at the other end.

"We had plenty today that we feel like we should have scored and in the other games we have probably felt exactly the same, but we have got through and that is the main objective at this time or year."

Kilmarnock, who played their home cup games at Beechwood Park, Auchinleck, open their Premiership campaign away to newly-promoted St Johnstone next weekend.

A newly installed hybrid, grass pitch will be ready for the visit of Celtic on 9 August.

Despite finishing 10th last season, Neil McCann's team finished the campaign strongly and will be looking to pick up where they left off.

"We are going into the league with some confidence," added 29-year-old Kiltie.

"Obviously at the beginning of the season I am not going to say we want to aim here and there, it is just about continuing on that run that we were on, continuing to play the way we want to play – a good brand of football."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Neil McCann expects his Kilmarnock side to find their "real cutting edge" again once the Scottish Premiership season starts despite finishing the Premier Sports Cup group stage with only two goals from four games.

The Ayrshire side were held to a goalless draw away to Peterhead in their final game, with the third-tier side also taking the bonus point by winning the penalty shoot-out.

But it was still enough for Kilmarnock to finish a point ahead of Hamilton Academical and Raith Rovers and qualify for Sunday's draw for the last 16.

"I thought we did more than enough to win the game," manager McCann told BBC Scotland. "We probably had eight, nine really good chances.

"The most frustrating thing and the annoying thing is that we have not taken one of them.

"We have lost on penalties, but I think the most important thing again was progressing."

McCann believes Kilmarnock can look forward with confidence to next week's league opener against St Johnstone.

"But, look, I am not going to kid the fans on that we are a polished article," he added. "We have got a lot of work to do without question in the final third, but we can do that on the back of progression.

"I think we showed last year that we are a team with a real cutting edge about us once we hit high gears and we click.

"I expect us to find that goal touch without question, but the flip side of that is that is four clean sheets on the bounce and that is quite impressive, I don't care what anybody says about the opposition.

"This section has provided a lot of problems for us because teams work so hard and they are ahead of us in preparation time because we have come back a wee bit later than them."

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Kilmarnock midfielder Aaron Tshibola has vowed to "pick up where I left off" after returning "home" by signing a new one-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club.

The former Aston Villa 31-year-old, who was part of DR Congo's World Cup squad this summer, spent the second half of last season with Neil McCann's side.

After playing a key role as they avoided relegation with a fine run at the end of the season, Tshibola has effectively started a fourth spell at Rugby Park, having first joined in 2018 under Steve Clarke.

"I've been around the world, but only one place truly feels like home," the central midfielder said in his unveiling video.

"I hear you singing my name from the back of the stands.

"It's an exciting new era for the club, new pitch, new training ground, new ambitions - and I'm buzzing to be a part of it."

The club added: "He was integral to the way Neil McCann's side finished the campaign strongly, securing the club's top-flight status in style."

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League of Ireland side Shelbourne have signed goalkeeper Eddie Beach from Kilmarnock for an undisclosed fee.

Beach, 22, joined Kilmarnock last summer after his Chelsea contract expired and made five appearances for the club before joining Derry City on loan earlier this year.

"I'm delighted to be joining Shelbourne," Beach said.

"It's a massive club with a big history and as soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew it was somewhere I wanted to be.

"I really enjoyed my time in the League of Ireland earlier this season and I'm excited to be back. I've seen the ambition around the club, the quality that's in the dressing room and the standards that are expected every day.

"I'm looking forward to getting started especially with the excitement for Europe around the corner."

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Neil McCann says the points were more important than the performance despite his Kilmarnock side having to wait until stoppage time before their winner against fourth-tier hosts Elgin City in the Premier Sports Cup group stage.

The Scottish Premiership side had to play 52 minutes with 10 men after right-back Jamie Brandon was red carded.

"I am really happy with the three points," McCann told Kilmarnock TV. "We could have been going back down the road with our tails between our legs having lost the game, going down to 10 men.

"The fact that we have managed to win the game should be enjoyed. It's all about getting through in the cup."

The narrow win follows a goalless draw at home to Championship side Raith Rovers, with Kilmarnock taking the penalty shoot-out bonus point.

"Jamie has made a poor decision, jumping into a challenge like that and, whether I think it's a red or yellow for being reckless, it's really hampered our chances of making it a more comfortable afternoon," McCann said.

"I think Elgin worked so hard, particularly in that period when it was 11 v 11 - and they continued to keep good shape to try to stop us from scoring.

"But I do feel the boys put a massive shift in. I was quite aggressive with my substitutions to try to win the game even with 10 men.

"They kept pushing, but of course Elgin are very organised under Stefan [Laird] - they made it tough.

"We want to play better, but the only important thing at this stage of the season is not performance, it's winning games and getting that mentality."

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Findlay Curtis wants to "showcase my talent in Europe on the biggest stage" for Rangers after living "every kid's dream" by playing for his country at the World Cup.

The 20-year-old winger became the youngest Scot to play at a World Cup finals when he came on a substitute in the victory over Haiti.

And he believes it was reward for pushing to be sent on loan to Kilmarnock.

"If you go and do really well, it will stand you in good stead and, even if you do bad, you get learning experiences," Curtis told Rangers TV after scoring the equaliser with a cross-come-shot in a 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs at their pre-season training camp in Spain.

"It's been unbelievable between January and now, going to Killie and doing really well and I couldn't thank them enough for what they've down for me and that leading to the World Cup squad.

"It was quite daunting at the start coming away from a big club like this, but you have to relish it and need to be confident in yourself.

"It stood me in good stead and I can't wait to get going this season."

Curtis joked that Kilmarnock started winning as soon as he arrived as he helped Neil McCann's side steer clear of relegation trouble and thought the biggest improvement was on the "mental side" of his game.

After an "emotional" exit from Rugby Park, he is back at Ibrox and aiming for a starting place under new manager Derek McInnes.

"You can't really sit on the bench at this age," he said. "You need to go and showcase your talent and I want to do that in Europe on the biggest stage."

As for his World Cup experience, Curtis added: "It's obviously every kid's dream.

"It was some experience going over there to America and hopefully there's more to come.

"It's a shame the results didn't go our way, but we'll be back, definitely."