Kilmarnock

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Marley Watkins has given Kilmarnock a "huge lift" by committing his future to the club with a new two-year deal.

The 33-year-old forward - Killie's top scorer with 13 goals last term - was out of contract after an impressive first year at Rugby Park in which he made 43 appearances and was pivotal in the club's fourth-place finish.

Manager Derek McInnes said: "Everyone connected with the club is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Marley longer.

"I think in his season with us last year he showed show much of his best qualities.

"Being able to bring him back to the squad is a huge lift for us, hopefully he can be as important for us this season, I have no doubts that’ll be the case."

Meanwhile, Killie began their pre-season friendlies with a 2-0 defeat to Paraguayan top-flight side Cerro Porteno in Spain.

McInnes, whose squad have spent the week at a Spanish training camp, added: "It's probably a bit early in the build-up for us to be playing a team of that level, but it was a really good test for us.

"There's so many positives to take from the week and the game."

We asked for your views on where Kilmarnock will be 10 games into the new Premiership season after the fixtures were announced.

Here’s what some of you said:

John: Hope we get a good start but we have a difficult list of fixtures, so will be happy to be in top six after the first 10 games, maybe third.

Anon: Thank goodness it’s just Cercle Bruges three days before we play Celtic! It might have been a tricky first couple of games if we were playing European giants Connah's Quay again.

Goldie: We’ll get six from first nine and we’ll bump Brgues - it’s the Killie way.

Michael: That opening weekend trip to Celtic, three days after our travels to Belgium to face Cercle Bruges, could be brutal. After that, home games against St Johnstone, Hibs and Dundee United could allow Killie to continue on their brilliant home form from last term. Juggling Europe and domestic action will be tough and we might have to grit our teeth through a ropey start before we see the standard we now expect under Derek McInnes.

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Kilmarnock are hoping to secure a further 1000 away tickets for the club's trip to Cercle Bruges in the Europa League second qualifying round.

The Rugby Park side have currently been allocated 1470 tickets for the second leg in Belgium on Thursday, 1 August.

While Kilmarnock wait to hear whether their request has been successful, the club will hold a ballot of season ticket holders for spots in the away end.

The match at Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges will mark the first competitive game Kilmarnock have played outside of the UK since 2001, when they lost 2-0 to Norwegian side Viking in the UEFA Cup.

Now the fixtures are out, how are you feeling about your side's start to the season?

Where do you think Kilmarnock will be after the first 10 games? Will their European exploits get in the way of a strong start to the campaign?

Give us your thoughts. , external

Kilmarnock fans are getting themselves booked up for Belgium, but there's still the small matter of league business to look forward to after the fixtures were released.

Opening weekend tests don't get much tougher than a trip to the champions.

Beyond that, Killie's first five games include home fixtures with St Johnstone and Hibs, as well as visits to Aberdeen and St Mirren.

Over the festive season, Aberdeen head to Rugby Park on Boxing Day, before the customary new year's meeting with St Mirren - this time at home - on Thursday, 2 January.

It's another tough ask on the final day before the split as Killie again travel to Celtic on the weekend of Saturday, 12 April.

Fixtures for the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season have been released.

The campaign will kick off with Hearts hosting Rangers at Tynecastle, a repeat of the sides' final league game of last season which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Newly-promoted Dundee United entertain derby rivals Dundee, while Celtic begin their title defence with the visit of Kilmarnock.

Jimmy Thelin's first Premiership game as Aberdeen boss is a trip to Perth to face St Johnstone.

David Gray starts his reign as permanent Hibs head coach away to St Mirren, while Motherwell are to home to Ross County.

The opening round of fixtures will be played from 3-5 August.

Kilmarnock begin their 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign with a trip to champions Celtic on the opening day.

The match will take place on Sunday, 4 August at 16:30 BST.

You can find all of Kilmarnock's fixtures here

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The 2024-25 SPFL schedule will be unveiled at 09:00 BST on Thursday, and we've got all the information you need before the return of domestic football.

The action in all four leagues kicks off on the weekend of 3 August.

Eight months later, the Premiership split happens on the weekend of 12 and 13 April and the top-flight season concludes on the weekend of 17 and 18 May.

And while it might be too painful to be thinking about the national team, there are international periods in September, October, November and March to bear in mind.

There will not, however, be a winter break this season.

The expansion of Uefa's club competitions - with the new league phase of the Champions League and Europa League running until the end of January - is the reason for that.

The SPFL said the format change "exerts additional pressure on the domestic calendar" and means no mid-season trips to the sunshine for Premiership clubs.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is being lined up as a replacement in case Clarke is sacked as Scotland head coach, while outgoing West Ham United manager David Moyes would be interested in the role. (TeamTalk)

Scotland Under-21 goalkeeper Cieran Slicker could play in Scotland next season - with Ross County and Partick Thistle joining Kilmarnock in having an interesting in taking the Ipswich Town player on loan. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

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"The first thing I did was get them on YouTube."

Captain Kyle Vassell wasted no time in doing his research on Cercle Bruges after Kilmarnock were paired with the Belgian side in Europa League qualifying.

The Ayrshire side welcome their second round opponents to Rugby Park on 25 July before the return leg on 1 August.

Kilmarnock avoided the likes of Ajax and Braga in the draw, but Vassell still anticipates a stern test.

"No matter who we got it was going to be tough, this will be a really tough tie," he said.

"It'll be so exciting. We've got a point to prove. We fancy ourselves against anyone here, so we're looking forward to it.

Vassell also revealed he underwent surgery at the end of the season to address an injury he had been playing through.

"Towards the end of last season and the season before, I couldn’t train," he added. "I can’t wait to have a season where I’m injury free."

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes believes retaining the core group of his squad is vital as he prepares for the new season at Rugby Park.

Bruce Anderson is a fresh face in the side that finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership last term, while Stuart Findlay has also agreed to return on loan, and McInnes expects there to be further deals in the coming weeks.

"We spoke last season about the strength of the squad," McInnes said. "We're still keen to bring one or two of the lads that were with us back, but getting the core of the squad to remain here was very important.

"It's important you always strive to improve your starting XI and squad. We've got good numbers for the start of the season and hopefully we can make those additions.

"Getting the likes of Bruce in to get that different type of front player, it's great to do that business early and the club deserve credit for being on the ball."

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Kilmarnock "aim to start work within the next month" after receiving planning permission for their proposed new purpose-built training centre.

East Ayrshire Council's planning committee made the decision on Friday following public consultation on the plan, which includes two full-size pitches, a training complex and a 250-seat stand located between Kilmarnock and Crookedholm.

Majority shareholder Billy Bowie previously expressed his wish that the Kilmarnock women's team will be based at Bowie Park Training Centre by the end of next year.

It will also eventually serve the men's senior team and their academy teams.

The opening of the new facility will lead to the artificial surface at Rugby Park being lifted and home matches being played on grass in the 2025-26 season.

Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes wants "two or three" more signings as he prepares for a Europa League qualifier against Cercle Brugge next month. (Herald), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock facing Belgian side Cercle Bruges in Europa League qualifying.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ant: It's not the glamour tie, but on paper it's the one that gives us a good chance of progress. A home win is key, but if we lose we need to keep it to a one-goal defeat. Exciting times for Killie - can't wait to see the boys in Europe again and at least it's not Welsh posties this time...

Jim: We are in Europe, it doesn't matter who we get, they will be more frightened of us than we are of them. After all we beat the Old firm last year, so Cercle will know this and won't take us lightly.

James: That’s a good draw for Killie, easy travel and a reasonable chance of getting through. Cercle will feel the same way so it should be a good couple of games.

Adam: Getting the least experienced side in the draw is a bonus in a way. And a trip to Belgium definitely trumps a coach to Wales, that's for sure. Nothing to lose, would expect us to be going for it at home in the first leg and taking an advantage to the away leg.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes says "no one will give us a chance" against Cercle Bruges in their Europa League second-round qualifier.

Killie welcome the Belgian side to Rugby Park on 25 July before the return leg on 1 August.

And McInnes challenged his players to hit the ground running in pre-season as they look to spring a shock.

"From a technical point, Cercle Bruges will be up there," McInnes said.

"It'll be a difficult game for us, but we knew the calibre of team we were going to be involved with.

"It's exciting to see Kilmarnock in that draw, and for us to be as best prepared as we can. No one will give us a chance.

"By the time the game comes around, we'll be well versed [in how they play]. We've got to be as ready as we can be. Nobody is ever going to be at their best that early in the season, but with the nature of the game and level of opponent, it's important we strive to get there.

"Hopefully [there will be] a big crowd to get behind the lads. It's important we try to get a positive result to go to Belgium with."

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St Johnstone have announced the signing of defender Jack Sanders on a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old was contracted to Kilmarnock for the last three seasons, spending the majority of that time on loan. He made 14 appearances in the Scottish Championship for Ayr United during the second half of last season.

Sanders is the Perth side's second arrival of the summer, following Josh Rae through the door at McDiarmid Park.

"We’re really pleased to get Jack on board for the upcoming season," manager Craig Levein said.

"He will provide us with a physical presence at the back but he is also comfortable with the ball at his feet.

"We’ve had a lot of discussions with Jack and it is clear how determined he is to kick on with his career and prove himself at this level."

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Cercle Bruges are the least experienced in European competition of the five potential opponents Kilmarnock could have drawn.

They have qualified for only the fourth time and for the first time since reaching the Europa League third qualifying round in 2011, when they lost to Anorthosis Famagusta.

Led by 41-year-old Miron Muslic, the Bosnian who stepped up from assistant in 2022, they finished fourth in the Belgian Pro League last season.

The form of Cercle's Brazilian goalkeeper Warleson has reportedly attracted interest from Monaco while 21-year-old right-back Hugo Siquet made his Belgium debut last season.

Togo forward Kevin Denkey is Cercle's main dangerman, netting 28 goals in 39 appearances last season and finishing as the league's top scorer on 22. Kilmarnock will have to quell his threat if they hope to progress.

And does the name Kazeem Olaigbe ring a bell? The winger spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Ross County from Southampton before enjoying a fruitful first campaign with Cercle.

Kilmarnock will face Belgian side Cercle Bruges in the Europa League second qualifying round draw.

The first leg is at Rugby Park on 25 July, with the return in Belgium on 1 August.

What do you make of the draw and Killie's chances of making it through? Do they need a lead to take to Bruges?

Let us know your thoughts on the tie here., external

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Kilmarnock's list of potential opponents in today's Europa League second qualifying round draw has been whittled down to five teams.

The Rugby Park side are unseeded and in group one for the draw (12:00 BST), meaning they could face:

• Ajax (Netherlands)

• Molde (Norway)

• Rapid Vienna (Austria)

• Trabzonspor (Turkey)

• Cercle Brugge (Belgium)

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Kilmarnock and St Mirren will discover their European opponents this week, with their respective draws taking place on Wednesday.

The Ayrshire side will enter the Europa League at the second round of qualifiers, while their Premiership rivals go into Conference League at the same stage.

Kilmarnock's potential opponents are particularly eye-catching, with Dutch giants Ajax, Portugal's Braga and Trabzonspor of Turkey among a list of eight possibilities.

Molde of Norway, Croatian side HNK Rijeka and Austrians Rapid Wien are also in there.

Meanwhile, there are 44 potential teams St Mirren could be paired with.

Brann (Norway) and Hacken (Sweden) stand out as tough opposition, but Stephen Robinson's side would fancy their chances against clubs such as Cliftonville (Northern Ireland), St Patrick's Athletic (Ireland) and HB Torshavn (Faroe Islands).

Kilmarnock will learn their fate at 12:00 BST on Wednesday, with St Mirren's draw taking place an hour later.

The second-round ties of both competitions will take place on 25 July and 1 August.

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Kilmarnock have confirmed goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara will remain at the club after signing a one-year deal.

The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international joined from Colchester United last summer but was second choice behind Will Dennis last term.

That meant the Manchester United academy product played just four times in the 2023-24 season.

However, O'Hara has opted to extend his stay in Ayrshire and will join the squad when they return for pre-season on Thursday.

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Bournemouth goalkeeper Will Dennis has perhaps confirmed he will not be returning to Kilmarnock by sharing a farewell message wishing the club "every success going forward".

The 23-year-old played a key role while on loan in Ayrshire last term, keeping 12 clean sheets in 36 league games in an impressive campaign.

Dennis says achieving a fourth-placed finish made the season "enjoyable and unforgettable".

In a social media post, external, he added: "I would like to start off by thanking all of the staff for bringing me in and supporting me during my time at the club, by having faith and pushing me throughout the season.

"To the fans, thank you for being so welcoming to myself and my family. Either in the stands or streets your support has been amazing and I will always be grateful.

"Thanks again and I wish the club every success going forward."

If you could only buy one, sell one, and loan out one player at Kilmarnock, who would you pick?

That was the question we asked you to answer, with the transfer window now open.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Grant: The hard work has been done, with excellent recruitment and retention from last season, hopefully Marley Watkins re-signs. If not we need to replace him. A goalkeeper and left-back/left centre-back are still needed and maybe add a little more depth but basically a really good squad in place already.

Adam: I think we need to get a midfield playmaker, so someone like Billy Gilmour! Could European football entice a loan for him? We need a good keeper so that’s a priority signing, again Europe might encourage some second-choice keepers to become our number one.

Bryan: Buy Corrie Ndaba and keep that strong defence together again. Loan keepers have been brilliant for us but would love to see our own number one.