Kilmarnock

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George Stanger will bring "presence to the defence" after joining Kilmarnock from rivals Ayr United, says manager Stuart Kettlewell.

The 24-year-old, who spent the past two seasons at Somerset in the Scottish Championship, has remained in Ayrshire by penning a two-year deal at Rugby Park.

Kettlewell is confident his fifth summer signing will "fit right in" with his squad.

"He brings a presence to the defence when he plays," the former Motherwell boss added.

"He is also at a good age combined with plenty of first-team experience, which is the perfect combination."

Meanwhile, New Zealand Under-23 international Stanger said: "I feel like it's a really good step for me in my career and I'm looking forward to showing what I can do at this level.

"I've spoken to the manager plenty the past couple of weeks and I'll be honest, he's a big part of why I came here.

"I know that he's got a good reputation for how he can help players develop and that's a key thing for me."

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock signing Scott Tiffoney and their business in the transfer window so far.

Here's what some of you said:

Andrew: Tiffoney is a good signing for the club. We badly need a striker and two centre-backs and a goalkeeper. All the best to Stuart Kettlewell, hope we have a big season.

Paul: Having all these new attackers and midfielders is good and all, but we need more defensive-minded players because as of now we have three defenders, Corrie Ndaba, Robbie Deas and Lewis Mayo.

Jim: Okay, hands up, I did have my doubts about the new manager, but he has got big boots to fill. With the players who have left and Stuart Findlay going to Hearts I was slightly concerned, but I am not disappointed with the new signings. So let's give the man a chance and our full support. Of all the players leaving only Findlay and Bobby Wales are the ones I am sorry to see go.

Davey: Tiffoney is a great addition, he's such a livewire and a thorn in many a defender's side. Surprised Dundee let him go, sure he'll do a job for us. Solid signings of experienced players so far.

Neil: Beginning to feel much more optimistic thanks to the first flurry of signings. We might end up resembling a swarm of wasps more than 'Galacticos', but who likes taking on wasps!

Amy: Considering it seemed our budget was slashed this summer, we've made some very sensible and proven Premiership signings. Still need more up front and a replacement for player of the year Joe Wright, however. Stephen Welsh on loan from Celtic would do.

Doug: Tiffoney will be a good signing for Killie. I remember him playing for Patrick Thistle when we were in the Championship. He was a menace, and he's a better player now. I'm pleased with all the signings. I'd like another goalkeeper and we need more firepower up front.

David: Interesting additions made this week. Time will tell of their impact and importantly the impact of Kettlewell. Disappointing to see lack of pre-season games available for fans to attend other than Rory McKenzie's testimonial.

No sooner does the season finish and we start looking forward to key dates for the next campaign - and that will be a lot easier to do on Friday when the Scottish Premiership fixtures are released.

That's right, that special day in the calendar is almost here already. The day when you'll learn details of derby fixtures, Christmas opponents and the run-in to the split.

This page will bring you all the fixtures when they drop at 09:00 BST on Friday and we'll be giving you the chance to have your say on how things look.

The new campaign kicks off on the weekend of Saturday, 2 August and will conclude on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

Hearts have agreed a deal with Oxford United to take Stuart Findlay, the 29-year-old centre-half who spent last season with Kilmarnock, on loan for the last year of his contract before making the move permanent. (Sky Sports), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Kilmarnock will be travelling to the Netherlands on Monday for a week-long pre-season camp, where they will face Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar.

The friendly with AZ, who finished fifth in the Dutch top tier last term, will finish their schedule on 28 June

Stuart Kettlewell's side then come back to three fixtures at Rugby Park, including Rory McKenzie's testimonial against Ayr United.

The match on 4 July will be the only opportunity for fans to see the team before they begin their League Cup group campaign.

The Ayrshire club's matches against The New Saints on 1 July and Ballymena United on 8 July will be behind closed doors.

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New Kilmarnock signing Scott Tiffoney says he has come to a "great place to play football" after joining the Rugby Park side on a two-year deal following his Dundee exit.

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder spent two seasons at Dens Park, scoring 10 goals in 76 appearances, and also has previous Premiership experience with Livingston.

"I'm buzzing to be here. As soon as I heard Kilmarnock were interested it was something I really wanted to be part of," said Tiffoney.

"I've played here before as an opponent and always thought it was a great place to play football.

"The manager's been really clear on what he wants and how I can fit in, so I'm just excited to get going and show the fans what I can bring."

Tiffoney is new Killie manager Stuart Kettlewell's fourth signing after defender Jamie Brandon and midfielders Greg Kiltie and Jack Thomson.

"Scott is a player that I've admired for a while, he's a consistent performer in this league, as soon as we were alerted to his availability it was one we wanted to get done," said Kettlewell.

"Again he's one that fits into the system we are going to be playing and he's going to add to the quality we already have here. I look forward to getting to work with Scott as we kick off pre-season this week."

Killie fans, what do you make of Tiffoney's signing and the club's summer transfer business so far? Share your views here.

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Kilmarnock have signed an "ambitious player with great ability" in midfielder Jack Thomson, says manager Stuart Kettlewell.

The 25-year-old has joined the Rugby Park side on a two-year deal following the expiry of his contract at Queen's Park, where he played more than 130 games.

The Rangers youth product, who signed a pre-contract with the Ayrshire club in January, says the move was a "natural step" for him.

"The club's got a lot of history," Thomson added. "The team is always competitive, competing at a really good level. It just felt like a natural step from where I've been.

"My conversations with the manager have been really positive. When I saw he was announced, I was excited.

"You speak to the people you know in football and try to find out as much as you can and everything that was said about the manager was really positive.

"And then obviously speaking to him, I have the exact same impression. So I can't wait to get on the pitch and be working with him."

And manager Kettlewell, a fellow former Queen's Park player, said: "Jack is a player I've inherited and I'm delighted that's the case. He is an ambitious player with great ability and I'm confident he will fit right into our squad."

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Greg Kiltie has returned to Kilmarnock from St Mirren on a two-year deal in search of "guaranteed first-team football".

Both Scottish Premiership clubs have signed off an "undisclosed agreement" for the 28-year-old attacking midfielder to re-join the Ayrshire club.

Kiltie, who scored 11 goals and provided 17 assists in 142 games for St Mirren, left Rugby Park for Paisley in 2021, but his minutes were limited in the second half of last season.

Buddies boss Stephen Robinson says Kiltie has been an "integral part" of what the team has achieved in recent years, earning three straight top-six finishes.

"He's a great boy and a very talented player," Robinson added. "But Greg felt he wanted guaranteed first-team football and he had an opportunity at Kilmarnock and we wouldn't stand in his way."

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell said: "Greg is a player I've admired for a number of years and he's one I'm confident will fit in well with our squad.

"Greg is a local lad, and Kilmarnock is his team, it was clear when speaking to him he was eager to come back and I am delighted we could make it happen."

Kiltie, who registered 20 goals and 16 assists in 134 games during his first spell at Kilmarnock, added: "When I heard this could be a possibility then obviously I jumped at the chance to get it done and I'm just delighted to be back.

"I always felt I wanted to come back, but in football you never know, you're just hoping the timing is going to be right and everything aligns.

"I had a chat with the manager and he explained what he was thinking and obviously his ambition and my ambitions. I won't go into it too much, but obviously we're both ambitious and want the team to be successful."

Kilmarnock are leading the race to sign 23-year-old Dutch striker Djenairo Daniels, currently with League of Ireland club Cork City. (Irish Independent), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Only Ross County's Akil Wright made more interceptions in the Scottish Premiership last season than Kilmarnock defender, Lewis Mayo.

The 25-year-old made 56 interceptions for Derek McInnes' side as he had another strong season in the backline.

Wright made a huge 70 interceptions, yet it wasn't enough to preserve County's top tier status.

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The SPFL confirmed attendances have risen for a third consecutive season and thanked fans for their "incredible support".

Crowds across all leagues, cups and play-off matches totalled more than 5.3 million, a rise of nearly 185,000 from the 2023-24 season.

"We will be having further meetings with key stakeholders over the summer to review the most recent season and look ahead to 2025-26," the SPFL statement ends.

"We remain committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable matchday experience for players and supporters - they are the lifeblood of our game and deserve nothing less."

Kilmarnock are battling with Livingston over the signature of versatile defender Jamie Brandon, who is out of contract with the promoted West Lothian club but who want to retain their 27-year-old captain. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Championship club Hull City are considering a move for Danny Armstrong, the 27-year-old winger who has left Kilmarnock under freedom of contact and is also of interest to Scottish Premiership rivals. (Daily Record), external

Out-of-contract Kilmarnock defender Joe Wright is wanted by League One club Bradford City and is edging towards a return to England despite having options in Scotland. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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We asked for your views on what Kilmarnock must do in the summer transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Kenny: We desperately need some firepower up front and we need to hopefully get Stuart Findlay, Joe Wright and Fraser Murray re-signed! We struggled last season due to lack of signings, when Findlay was injured we let in goals like a sieve. Hopefully we get a couple of big signings soon.

Jim: We have a team full of ageing players where the most you will get out of them is a yearly contract. This is good for the players concerned but not the team. Findlay and Bruce Anderson will probably go. Bobby Wales and Innes Cameron have gone and we don't exactly have money available to buy decent players. We are in deep trouble.

James: We could be looking at a major overhaul of the squad. A keeper, two full-backs and centre-backs to start with. The midfield might be okay but we'll need to replace Daniel Armstrong as well as Cameron and Wales. There are a few youngsters who might get a chance, Ben Brannan, Chris Burke and Archie Traynor for example.

Graham: We need another goalkeeper, striker, creative midfielder and Findlay back, please.

John: If nothing else we need to sign at least two strikers who are capable of scoring 15 to 25 goals apiece per season and two wingers capable of servicing them competently week in week out!

Steven: The team needs a strong spine, a new goalkeeper, central defender, passing midfielder to partner David Watson and a goalscoring striker. The team should be built around Watson.

Robin: Findlay! He is the first and main priority. We need additions all over the pitch, mixed with bringing through the youth but Findlay is the biggest addition that we can make. There are some names on the out-of-contract list that I'd keep but I think the squad needs freshening up.

Ross: If we have 12 players out of contract I think it's time the manager starts showing the fans how he is going to replace them. I would make Findlay my first port of call before Hearts sign him up. Has been a rock in this defence. We also need to find a new dependable goalkeeper as with the loss of Kieran O'Hara, Robby McCrorie isn't up to being the number one. Building the team round Watson would be the best as it show our academy is producing talented kids who can start in the first team.

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Captain Kyle Vassell and winger Danny Armstrong are among 12 players leaving Kilmarnock at the end of their contracts.

It had already been revealed that Vassell's fellow striker's, Bobby Wales and Innes Cameron, have signed for Swansea City and Barrow respectively.

Now the Scottish Premiership club have announced that defender Joe Wright, midfielders Liam Donnelly, Fraser Murray, Kyle Magennis and Aaron Brown, winger Gary Mackay-Steven and goalkeepers Kieran O'Hara and Aidan Glavin are also now out of contract.

While Kilmarnock "thank each of the departing squad members for the role they have played", they add that "conversations are ongoing with a number of players" and do not say whether any of the out-of-contract players are included in that.

They also point out that Liverpool right-back Calvin Ramsay, Oxford United centre-half Stuart Findlay and Leicester City defender Tom Wilson-Brown have returned to their parent clubs following their loan spells at Rugby Park.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock add that, following the appointment of Stuart Kettlewell as manager to succeed Heart of Midlothian-bound Derek McInnes, fans should expect updates with the transfer window due to open on 12 June.

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The transfer window opened on Sunday - albeit for 10 days initially, mainly so sides competing in the Club World Cup can get early business done - before reopening for the rest of the summer on 16 June.

Are there certain players you are desperate for Kilmarnock to sign, or a particular area of the squad that needs improving?

Or maybe holding on to a key player is your biggest priority? And what about departures - Bobby Wales and Innes Cameron have moved on, but are there are others who need to go?

We want your take on what business Killie must do this summer.

Let us know here

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After spending more than a decade at the club, Innes Cameron's time at Kilmarnock will come to an end this summer.

A youth product of the Ayrshire side, the 24-year-old striker will join English League Two club Barrow following the expiry of his contract.

Cameron joined the Kilmarnock academy at the age of 13 and went on to play 80 times for the first team, scoring eight goals.

Reflecting on his 11 years at Rugby Park, he said: "I can't believe the day has finally come to say goodbye.

"From joining the youth system at 13, making my professional debut at 16, and to ending my time at the club at almost 25, it has been an honour to represent the club for so long and I have loved every second of it.

"I have met so many amazing people, made life-long friendships and endless memories I will look back on fondly.

"And the Killie fans, thank you for the endless support both home and away through all the ups and downs there has been.

"Those European nights were special, I hope there is more to come. I wish the club nothing but every success in the future."