Kilmarnock

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Saturday signing Kevin Nisbet is among Aberdeen's substitutes against Motherwell after the Scotland striker joined on loan from Millwall.

Home boss Jimmy Thelin makes two changes to his starting line-up, with centre-half Slobodan Rubezic and winger Topi Keskinen, making his first start, replacing Jack Milne and Shayden Morris, who both make the bench.

Kilmarnock's Derek McInnes also makes two changes, with Robbie Deas replacing the suspended Joe Wright in defence and winger Danny Armstrong starting in the absence of captain Kyle Vassell, the striker having picked up a knock in Copenhagen on Thursday.

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Derek McInnes says Killie need to show "more attacking threat" as they prepare to welcome FC Copenhagen to Rugby Park on Thursday.

First up though, the Ayrshire club have a trip to Aberdeen to contend with before their huge European tie.

McInnes' side trail the Danish club by two goals after a 2-0 defeat away from home.

"It was brilliant for us to see so many fans travelling, in and around the city, interacting with them," the Killie boss said.

"A club of our size, we are proud of the fact we were taking on a heavyweight in Copenhagen and I thought the result was really harsh on us.

"The recognition that the fans gave the players at the end helps us all to be honest. It does help us, and I thank the fans for that.

"But we go again and hopefully next Thursday we can set about that task.

"We will need so show more attacking threat.

"My intention is to put out a more attacking team to try and get the game going our way a wee bit and try and hit them hard and try and give them the best version of us next Thursday.

"Because we don't want to go out of Europe, we are really enjoying it and the supporters are enjoying it."

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Aberdeen are still without injured midfielders Leighton Clarkson (shoulder) and Dante Polvara (hamstring) as well as the AWOL Duk.

Kilmarnock are likely to make a series of changes amid their European clash with Copenhagen. Joe Wright is suspended, captain Kyle Vassell went off with a knock in Denmark, Robby McCrorie (groin) is a doubt while Corrie Ndaba and Kyle Magennis are nearing fitness.

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• Aberdeen lost all three of their league meetings with Kilmarnock last season, all without scoring. This is as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 35 league matches against Killie beforehand (W25 D7 L3).

• After winning their visit to Aberdeen in last season’s Scottish Premiership 1-0 in December, Kilmarnock could win successive league trips against the Dons for the first time since August 2010.

• Aberdeen are unbeaten in their last 11 league games (W8 D3), last going 12 without loss in the Scottish Premiership in February 2016 – that includes two wins from two this season, with the Dons last winning their opening three games of a top-flight campaign in 2017-18.

• Kilmarnock have lost their opening two Scottish Premiership games of the 2024-25 season by an aggregate score of 0-7 (0-4 v Celtic, 0-3 v St. Johnstone); the only team to have made a worse pointless start in the competition after two games this century are Hamilton Academical in 2010-11 (minus eight goal difference).

• Jamie McGrath has been directly involved in five goals in his last three Scottish Premiership appearances (three goals, two assists), scoring and assisting in each of Aberdeen’s two league games this term; the last player to score and assist in three straight outings in the competition was Celtic’s Anthony Stokes in May 2014.

Killie fans, we asked for your views on Thursday night's defeat to Copenhagen.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Frank: Kilmarnock could not be faulted for that display. The team looked solid and worthy of a positive result then VAR gave a penalty. An absolutely shocking decision where VAR was the only one in the stadium who thought it was a penalty. We have nothing to fear (apart from VAR) in the return leg at Rugby Park.

Rab: I'm surprised they only lost two goals. Derek McInnes needs to go. His constant moaning and complaints about referees are becoming increasingly tiresome. Clueless tactics from 1984 aren’t working.

Adam: Defending for 90 minutes is never going to work. When we did have the ball I thought they were kicking hot coals about! No composure on the ball at all! We are going to need a miracle next week, so at least try attacking football please, go out fighting!

Garry: Great effort from the boys, really proud of them. The penalty decision cannot be classed as a clear and obvious error, and changed the game. Also, the time added on because of the VAR has cost us the second goal, total injustice. We go again next week.

Anon: Well done to the team, management and fans. Hard luck in the end. Football is unfortunately turning into a non-contact sport. No matter the score next week the club has done us proud.

Robert: Only three comments. One, dodgy referee, two dodgy VAR, three, with the gulf in finances Kilmarnock were immense.

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Stephen McGinn believes "career top performances" will be required from Kilmarnock when they look to overturn a two-goal deficit against Copenhagen and keep their European dream alive on Thursday.

Derek McInnes' side looked like they would head back to Rugby Park just one goal down, but conceded a late sucker-punch of a second in the Danish capital.

Former Killie midfielder McGinn said it was a "frustrating" one to take as his old side soaked up pressure for the majority of the match, but that late goal means they must now "get after" the Danish outfit in the second leg.

"When you play like that, when the other team has so much possession and they're constantly looking to try and get the breakthrough, there's so much organisation and concentration involved in getting to that," McGinn said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The first goal in the tie was crucial. I thought getting to half-time was amazing, and as it was going on, I was thinking, 'what an amazing effort and achievement this is from the Kilmarnock boys'.

"When you get to 90 minutes at 1-0, you're thinking going back to Kilmarnock, it's a totally different game. A small pitch, an older Astro turf, a huge Kilmarnock crowd behind you, you're thinking of 1-0, it's achievable.

"But that late second goal means Kilmarnock are going to have to obviously score three or four on the night to get through, as I see Copenhagen scoring.

"It's going to need probably a career top performance from a lot of the lads collectively.

"Everyone just needs to get after Copenhagen. If it was 1-0, they could maybe have hedged their bets, waited until later in the game, but I don't think they can have that type of night now.

"I think they're going to have to get after Copenhagen, really put them under pressure and hope they buckle with the change of surface and the change of atmosphere."

You can listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast here

Kilmarnock defender Lewis Mayo says "it's hard not to get emotional" about their first-leg defeat in Copenhagen.

Match report: Copenhagen 2-0 Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes says the decision to award Copenhagen a penalty for their opening goal in the 2-0 first-leg defeat is a "horrendous" call.

Match report: Copenhagen 2-0 Kilmarnock

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes told BBC Scotland: "The effort of the team, the shape - we gave ourselves every chance to get a positive result. It wasn't drawing a line in the sand and having to defend but we recognised the level of opposition we were up against.

"We'd limited to them from shots from distance, a few crosses. They hadn't done much to trouble us, they didn't disrupt us and the game played out how I was hoping."

"We carried a threat, had some good moments in the first half, enough to give the players encouragement we could get something from the game.

"At half-time, the odds start to swing towards us a wee bit. We wanted to keep them at arm's length and make them do something out of this world to try and change it.

"By and large we felt okay until the referee gets involved with the penalty kick. For me, it's a horrendous decision. It's extremely harsh. I don't think it's a clear and obvious error. It surprised everybody when he was asked to go over.

"Elyounoussi has got the first touch but I don't think it impacts him having a shot. It's a coming together and I don't think it's a penalty kick. It floored us a wee bit. I know how gutted I felt on the touchline.

"We're disappointed and it's a real blow. For all the effort, work and organisation - to lose a goal to that is extremely harsh."

Kilmarnock's hope of European progress suffered two late blows as Copenhagen scored twice in the first leg of their Conference League play-off tie.

The Ayrshire side produced a spirited performance before David Watson was deemed - after a VAR intervention - to have fouled former Celtic winger Mohamed Elyounoussi in the 75th minute.

Kevin Diks tucked the spot kick away, before Rasmus Falk scored with the final kick of the game in stoppage time to fully punish the battling visitors.

What was your thoughts on the game then, Kilmarnock fans? That must have been a tough one to take?

How do you feel about next week? Were you encouraged by that performance?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

The low-block employed by Kilmarnock early on was hardly a surprise. What was more surprising was how well it worked, and how Copenhagen struggled to break it down.

Criticism has been levelled at the Kilmarnock defence this season - a far cry from last season when Lewis Mayo, Robbie Deas and Stuart Findlay all drew praise.

But despite the poor form of his back-line, McInnes' gameplan still relied upon it being up to scratch. Thankfully for him, it was back to its best.

Up top, Kyle Vassell lead from the front. There was almost no service to the big guy, yet he was able to hold up the ball when it came to him, unsure when he would see it again. He won corners and free-kicks, none of which were utilised to the full.

At the very least, Kilmarnock now have a free hit next week. There's no excuse not to go for it. Could we see Innes Cameron or Bobby Wales start?

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Copenhagen: Trott, Diks, Vavro, Gocholeishvili, Meling, Lerager, Falk, Froholdt, Elyounoussi, Oskarsson, Achouri

Substitutes: Sander, Runarsson, Garananga, Gabriel, Mattsson, Robert, Clem, Hojer, Chiakha.

Kilmarnock: O'Hara, Burroughs, Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Lyons, Watson, Donnelly, Kennedy, Vassell, Watkins.

Substitutes: McCrorie, Glavin, Ndaba, Deas, McKenzie, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Wales, Cameron, Anderson, Polworth, Bainbridge.

Danish journalist Sebastian Stanbury tells the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast about the current situation of FC Copenhagen, Kilmarnock's Conference League play-off opponents.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Copenhagen

The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, The Snow Queen etc etc. Copenhagen’s most famous former resident knew how tell a tall tale.

But even Hans Christian Andersen might have trouble trying to sell a Killie win tonight in the Danish capital.

Last season, Copenhagen reached the last sixteen of the Champions League, beating Manchester United and drawing with Bayern Munich along the way before being knocked out by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

And anyway Killie fans don’t seem to believe in fairytales, football or otherwise.

"Three-nil Copenhagen; "one-nil Copenhagen"; "I fear the worst" are representative of the predictions from travelling supporters. Although I did get "as long as we’re still it for the second leg", and an "anything's possible".

In a city aiming to be carbon neutral by 2025 maybe anything is possible. Everyone here seems to ride a bike, and you’ve more chance of getting run over by tourists on a tandem than a car.

Derek McInnes thinks a Killie win isn't so outlandish. He says Killie have beaten better teams in the past; he's not referring to the win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1960s, but to wins over Rangers and Celtic last season.

There's also a theory that Copenhagen aren’t all that this season. It's a new formation and a new defence, they've got injury problems and the fans aren’t happy with how the team is playing.

Back to Hans Christian Andersen, remember The Emporer's new clothes? Spoiler alert – he wasn’t wearing any.

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Brad Lyons knows the scale of the task Kilmarnock face against Copenhagen in their Conference League play-off, but insists they are capable of toppling their lofty opponents.

Derek McInnes' side - who were in Scotland's second tier as recently as 2022 - beat Norwegian side Tromso to reach the play-off, and will host Copenhagen at Rugby Park on 29 August after Thursday's first leg.

Copenhagen are regulars in European football and last season came through a group with Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Manchester United to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

"It would be incredible if we get through the tie," midfielder Lyons said. "From playing in the Championship to get to Europe would be a great rise from the club.

"We've seen them in the last couple of years getting results against the likes of Manchester United and getting to the last 16 of the Champions League last season.

"They are absolute quality on the pitch but we are both at the same stage.

"Belief in the squad is high after the win in Tromso, the great team performance we put in to get that win.

"We know if we implement what we worked on in training on the pitch we can do the business."

Lyons has started every game for the Ayrshire side this season, but insists he is raring to go again amid a packed fixture schedule.

"It has been tough physically but this is what we do, this is our job," he added. "I'd rather play two or three games a week than train all week. This is what we get paid to do.

"I'm thankful the gaffer has backed me especially coming after the injury last season, I had a good pre-season and feel ready to go."

• All 12 Premiership sides provided a total of 15,101 minutes to Scottish players aged under 21 in the 2023-24 season.

• Those minutes average out to just 1,258 per club, which is the equivalent of only 14 full 90-minute matches.

• Six teams failed to reach a total above 700 minutes.

• Celtic and Rangers were the worst offenders in the division, with Celtic managing just 89 minutes all in, while Rangers' total was even lower at only 26.

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Derek McInnes wants Kilmarnock to be "courageous" against Copenhagen as his side look to claim a Conference League upset.

Having won 1-0 in Tromso last week, McInnes is eyeing another Scandinavian scalp in the first leg of the play-off where qualification brings a £4m windfall.

"We are under no illusions how difficult the task is going to be, against a team who were in the Champions League last year," said McInnes.

"I remember watching those games and with big Scott McKenna playing for Copenhagen that gave me added interest.

"I was impressed with the speed, athleticism and technical ability of the team - a lot of those players are still there.

"And whether they're struggling for their best form at the moment, this is still a huge task for us to try and overcome this type of opponent.

"But we’ve found ourselves against them and it’s important that we tray and be brave enough and courageous enough to take that on.

"We’re at full stretch at the club, even administratively, everyone is working flat out. It is demanding on such a small squad but while we are in Europe it’s important we try and maximise it.

"We’ve given the fans some good trips and good experiences already, but this would be the best of the lot if we could overcome this type of opponent."

David Currie in Copenhagen
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Conference League play-off first leg in Copenhagen.

Here are the key points:

• McInnes says this is the biggest game by some magnitude since he came to Kilmarnock and "we are determined to make the most of it".

• The rewards financially are "off the scale" – winning this tie could be worth £4m to Kilmarnock.

• McInnes adds: "We are under no illusions how difficult the task is going to be, against a team who were in the Champions League last year."

• Killie will treat the game the same way they would one against Celtic or Rangers. Copenhagen are in the same bracket as them.

• Killie are at "full stretch" on and off the park, but "while we are in Europe it’s important we try and maximise it".

• McInnes has spoken to Scotland defender Scott McKenna, who spent time on loan at Copenhagen last season, about the strengths of the team.

• Copenhagen are huge favourites but Killie have "beaten better teams in the past" such as the Old firm.

• On new loan signing Jack Burroughs, McInnes says: "We are delighted to get him. He was a player we tried to bring in a few weeks back, but it’s taken a bit longer than we’d hoped."

• McInnes has "a few doubts" for the game but Corrie N’daba is back in the squad. Fraser Murray hasn’t travelled and Kye Magennis is still out.

A lack of first-team action given to youngsters in the Premiership backs up the Scottish FA's assertion that Scotland is not bringing through enough emerging talent.

Just three of the 12 top-flight teams are able to say they provided over 2,000 minutes to Scots aged under 21 across last season's pre-split fixtures.

Dundee sit top of the 2023-24 table with 3,538, but a large chunk of that was clocked up by the one player - Lyall Cameron.

The same applies to the three next best clubs on the chart, Aberdeen (Connor Barron), Kilmarnock (David Watson) and Motherwell (Lennon Miller).

At the bottom of the table are both Old Firm clubs, with the pair posting concerning figures - Celtic just 89 minutes and Rangers only 26.

The report uses Hungary's top flight - a 12-team league - as a direct comparison. It shows Honved provided 6,544 minutes to Hungarian under-21 players, PAFC reached more than 5,000 and two more clubs achieved over 3,000.

Click here to read more on how Scottish football is failing young players.

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Clubs in Scotland are failing to bring through enough young players, a report, external by the Scottish FA has said.

The governing body says Scottish football is "significantly underachieving its potential" in youth development compared to countries of a similar size.

Using a range of data to compare leagues across Europe, it shows players under the age of 21 in Scotland are playing fewer minutes in the top-flight than countries such as Denmark, Norway, and Croatia.

Meanwhile, game time for young Scottish players in major European club competitions ranks below countries with smaller populations and fewer resources, such as Montenegro and North Macedonia.

It also stresses clubs are missing an opportunity to reduce wage costs and increase transfer revenue by developing their own players.

The report was commissioned by the SFA's professional game board at the end of 2023, and a working party comprised of SPFL and SFA representatives will now consider its findings.

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