Kilmarnock

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell has been talking to the media before his side's trip to face Falkirk on Saturday.

Here are the main points from his press conference:

• Kettlewell is expecting a different type of match against Falkirk, who "pose a threat" with their counter-attacking style.

• The Killie boss is looking for his side to score first after conceding the opener in the past three games, all of which were defeats.

• The opening goal can be "pivotal" in winning matches he stressed.

• Reflecting on the 1-0 midweek loss to Aberdeen, Kettlewell admitted "frustration" with the result but believes there are plenty of "positives" to take from the overall performance.

• Asked if this has been one of tightest leagues he's been involved in, he replied "without a doubt".

• He adds: "Over the years, as a player and manager, there was always the odd game where maybe you're not at your best but you get a victory. I think you have to play well to win, I don't think there's such a thing of scrambling and scraping through something now because any errors will be highlighted".

• Kettlewell expects to have the same squad as midweek bar potentially "one or two" with no injury returns imminent.

Image source, SNS

• This will be Falkirk's first top-flight meeting with Kilmarnock since a goalless draw in May 2010; the Bairns have won just one of their past seven games against Killie at this level (D4 L2), a 2-1 victory in December 2009.

• During Falkirk's last spell in the top flight (2005-06 to 2009-10), Kilmarnock lost none of their eight away league games against them (W4 D4), most recently winning 1-0 in February 2010.

• Falkirk picked up their first home win of the top-flight season last time out when beating Dundee 1-0 – they last won back-to-back home games in the Scottish Premiership in September 2008, beating Hearts and Hamilton under John Hughes.

• Kilmarnock have lost their last their past three league games, last going on a longer losing streak when suffering eight straight Scottish Premiership defeats between January and February 2021. Killie last did so under the same manager in December 2020 under Alex Dyer (run of five).

• Kilmarnock have won just two of their 10 Scottish Premiership games under Stuart Kettlewell (D4 L4), the same number his two predecessors Tommy Wright and Derek McInnes managed at the same mark – both of those managers won their 11th game however, with the last Killie boss to win as few as two of his first 11 matches being Lee Clark in 2016 (2).

Swansea City striker Bobby Wales is attracting increasing loan interest from both sides of the border after Aberdeen failed to secure a deal for the former Kilmarnock player in the summer. (Aberdeen Live), external

We asked for your views after Kilmarnock lost 1-0 at home to Aberdeen for a third defeat in a row.

Here's what some of you said:

Andrew: Stuart Kettlewell got his line-up wrong. Despite the injury list he should have played an offensive team from kick-off. Killie were slow and passive in their build-up and passing which suited Aberdeen's formation. Only from the 59th minute with Bruce Anderson's introduction and subsequent substitutions did we add pace passing and chances. Kettlewell's tactics at home need to be much better or we are in for a long season as the early good play is slowly evaporating.

John: Passive, sideways football bereft of an effective strikeforce. Another hard watch where we continue to make mediocre teams look good, Hearts, Rangers and now Aberdeen all benefit from our lacklustre performances. Again our fleeting chances are wasted when they come, we desperately need to find goals from somewhere as we could still be playing now and not score.

James: What do we expect when we lose a first-class manager in Derek McInnes, first-class players like Stuart Findlay, Danny Armstrong, Bobby Wales, Fraser Murray and replace them all with second-class replacements? We play with two attackers up front and no wide men to get the ball to them.

Robert: Once again a lack of awareness gifted a goal to Aberdeen, we were poor playing backwards and I am afraid we have a 6ft 7in striker who has no awareness where he or his team-mates are and failed to win headers off guys feet smaller. Also why did it take Kettlewell 70 minutes to use his bench when we were abject?

William: Somebody has to take leadership in defence if we are to stabilise our fall. The aim of scoring at least once in every game seems to have evaporated, leaving the goal difference a possible factor in relegation.

Stephen: So much wrong with Killie just now. Little or no impact from the summer signings (Max Stryjek excepted) and a worrying loss of form from those who were previously reliable, particularly in defence. Not one player has improved since Kettlewell's arrival, and in the last three games we've been completely disjointed. We are so poor up front, even with all that possession against Aberdeen we never really looked like scoring. Trip to Falkirk on Saturday now looks like a huge game.

Watch the highlights as Aberdeen overcome Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).

Aberdeen recorded successive away league wins for the first time since September 2024 to move up to 10th in the Scottish Premiership and level with Kilmarnock.

You can read the match report here.

Have your say here.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "We can talk about luck. I think you make your own luck in this game. We've played a game of football tonight where we've had the majority of the ball, the majority of chances, majority of corners, all the pressure.

"I think what was frustrating for us is we had a lot of the ball in the first half but without really going anywhere, without carving opportunities, we concede a horrendous goal yet again. A shot, a deflection, ball loops in the air. And what disappoints me is that there's an Aberdeen player that latches on to that first inside of our penalty box.

"We're not able to convert one of our chances, both from open play and from dead balls. And then that's obviously a recipe for losing games of football. If you make that error and you don't react properly, and you're not able to convert your chances. I feel that the worst we should have been walking away for this game was 0-0.

"It's disappointing. It's disappointing that it's another defeat for us. It's disappointing that we don't convert one of the chances. But again, we've got another game coming very, very quickly, so we have to ensure that we lift ourselves. But you can't just keep saying that either.

"I've spoken about the six that we conceded in the past two games against Hearts and Rangers. There's obvious individual errors in there. And then from the one today, purely for me, it's almost an instinct. It's making sure that that you never give up space inside your penalty box, that you play until that ball's dead or until you clear your line.

"I think that that one tonight is a wee bit more mentality and just being a bit cuter and a little bit more switched on and having a wee bit more desire to defend that space. It disappoints me that Stuart Armstrong gets to the ball first, it really does when we're in position to react.

"But ultimately we lost a game of football and it was one that, as I say, if we came out of here 0-0 I'd still be disappointed because I would feel that we passed up some opportunities.

"So at this minute in time I don't think any of us really could or should take any crumb of comfort. We've lost a game that I don't believe we should have but what we have to do is we have to make sure that we're ready to play against Falkirk on Saturday."

We asked for your views on what it means for Kilmarnock after goalkeeper Max Stryjek was ruled out for four months.

Here are some of your comments:

Stephen: First and foremost, best wishes to Max for his upcoming treatment and for a full recovery. Of all the summer signings, his was the single biggest improvement in any area of the pitch and his importance to the squad and positive influence on the defence can't be overstated. Just look at the goals we've conceded since his absence. Experienced, reliable keepers are hard to come by, but we now need another one in as soon as possible.

David: Without a doubt we need an experienced keeper in place. Our defence has crumbled since the loss of Max. No reflection on Eddie Beach but he needs more experience before being a No.1 keeper.

John: We need to get behind Beach and support him. He will learn from the last two games, the experience will serve him well. He played well in pre-season, so the ability is there, he just needs encouragement.

Dougie: Can't blame keepers all the time but I don't think the defence trust Beach. We eventually got a good keeper but what do we do now for the next few months?

Image source, SNS

• Kilmarnock's Stuart Kettlewell has lost eight of his 11 games against Aberdeen as a manager in the Scottish Premiership (W2 D1 – including as joint-manager with Steven Ferguson at Ross County), although did win his most recent 2-0 with Motherwell in January last season.

• Kilmarnock have won their past four home league games against Aberdeen - as many as their previous 24 beforehand (W4 D5 L15).

• The away side has lost nine of the past 10 league matches between Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, with the exception a 1-0 Killie win at Pittodrie in December 2023.

• Kilmarnock have only won one of their past six home league games (D2 L3), losing as many of those fixtures (3) as they had in their previous 17 (W9 D5 L3).

• After beating St Mirren 1-0, Aberdeen could secure successive away league wins for the first time since September 2024 (run of three).

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock keeper Max Stryjek will be out with a health issue for another 16 weeks. Lewis Mayo (calf) and Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin) are serious doubts while Kyle Magennis is back after a muscle complaint.

Djenairo Daniels remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery while Marley Watkins is working his way back from a heel injury along with Matty Kennedy.

Aberdeen remain without Emmanuel Gyamfi and Kristers Tobers (knee) and will make a late decision on Alfie Dorrington.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock have confirmed goalkeeper Max Stryjex will be out for four months due to a medical issue.

The 29-year-old has missed the last two games with Eddie Beach playing instead.

Kilmarnock say after being examined by club doctors and "leading medical professionals" Stryjek will be out of action for approximately 16 weeks.

"Max is a hugely valued member of our squad and an outstanding professional," manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

"His health and wellbeing are our absolute priority, and he has the full support of everyone at the club.

"We'll be with him every step of the way and look forward to seeing him back doing what he loves when the time is right."

The club has not elaborated on Stryjek's condition and said only an "anomaly" was found after a routine test, and urged people to respect the goalkeeper's privacy.

Killie fans, just how big a blow is Styjek's absence? Do the club now need to a sign a replacement? Share your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell expects nothing but the toughest of tests against struggling Aberdeen at Rugby Park on Wednesday night.

While the Ayrshire side are looking to bounce back from back-to-back Premiership defeats for the first time this season - to leaders Hearts and Rangers - Jimmy Thelin's side are second bottom of the table, one point ahead of Livingston and with only three wins in 15 games in all competitions.

However, Kettlewell still regards the Dons as "absolutely one of the biggest clubs in the country".

"There're a team that have invested very, very heavily in the playing squad," said the former Motherwell manager, who described defenders Lewis Mayo (calf) and Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin) who came off at Ibrox at half-time on Sunday as "serious doubts", while midfielder Kyle Magennis is back training after a muscle complaint.

Kettlewell added: "You look at the wealth and riches that they've got throughout their group.

"So it's going to be a proper test, no matter what anybody wants to think.

"The last two games we've played Hearts, who are flying high and against Rangers at Ibrox. You don't get a pass, you don't get an easy week.

"For anything that we've had this season, we've had to work exceptionally hard for it. We've had to be really well organised defensively and we've had to handle the ball well.

"As much as the errors we've had in the last couple of games, I don't feel we've handled the ball as well as we have done, which can often take away that threat of the mistakes and the errors in the wrong areas of the pitch.

"So there's a couple of messages for me that we need to get, we need to become more confident again in possession, because I don't feel we've seen too many patterns that we would expect in the last couple of games.

"But we're under no illusion, I think we've spent a lot of time post-Rangers having a look at Aberdeen in great detail.

"They carry numerous threats. They have some real quality and if we allow them to get their key players in possession of the ball, then they can hurt us."

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Belief is something teams must show when travelling to difficult venues but I'm afraid we never witnessed it once at Ibrox.

It was another disjointed performance and for the second game in succession we lost three goals that were all preventable.

This league is hard enough without self-inflicted damage - it's a worrying trend. Young goalkeeper Eddie Beach wasn't totally to blame but he needs a spell out on loan to get experience and gain confidence.

If Max Stryjek is out for an extended period we need an established keeper in the door immediately. We all know how it ended before when we had dodgy keepers.

There is no time to feel sorry for ourselves with two huge games this week. On Wednesday underperforming Aberdeen visit Rugby Park so that would be the perfect time to get back on the rails.

We then travel to Falkirk who are on a great run. Four points from those two games would steady the Killie ship.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Image source, SNS

Captain Brad Lyons is urging Kilmarnock to bounce back at home against Aberdeen on Wednesday having been "angry and frustrated" after Sunday's 3-1 defeat away to Rangers.

A second successive loss leaves the Rugby Park club sitting eighth in the Premiership, three places above the Dons.

"The thing with football is, you can never be too high or too low," said Lyons.

"We started the season well and picked up a lot of good results, along with some good performances. We know what we're capable of and we know the quality we have in our dressing room.

"We're not going to shy away from the disappointment of Sunday, but it's a new one on Wednesday and that's the joy of midweek football. You quickly get the chance to correct it.

"I'm just frustrated and angry. When you come to Ibrox, you need to be defensively solid to get a result.

"Yes, we weren't pretty in possession but they never created much.

"The three goals they scored, when you break them down it's just mistakes from us.

"The boys hold their hands up. We're all accountable for it. Again, we're not blaming anyone. Anyone can make a mistake.

"We can't let that sneak into Wednesday night or next Saturday [away to Falkirk].

"This is an important week for us and we need to dust ourselves down. We'll analyse it and then hopefully correct it."

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 3-1 defeat against Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

John: Pure shambles in defence again. If we keep playing like we do, will it mean a relegation fight? Hope not, but it looks a possibility. Change is needed. Why not do the things we did at start of season when we could defend draws better than defeats.

Alan: Well it's all coming together now, useless defence, hopeless goalkeeper. Mistakes from last week were probably worse today. We must pick up something this week, no question, but defending like last week and Sunday only seems to point to lessons not learned. Analysis again on Monday it is then. Hopeless performance from players who are untrustworthy. Sad times.

Gary: Always the same. If a team needs a win, let them play Killie. We need another goalie and fast. After a fairly good start to the season it's looking like it could be a difficult one.

Crawford: The mistakes we make are unacceptable. Max Stryjek's absence is huge and the slackness in defence is costing us. Stuart Kettlewell needs to get back to winning ways and let the team know that.

Anna: When will Kettlewell learn that three at the back does not work? That's six goals in two games lost from playing a back three. Four at the back is the way to go. As for the performance, it wasn't the best. OK we got it back to 1-1, but in the second half we blew it big time. The lack of striking options on the bench didn't help either, because if Marcus Dackers or Bruce Anderson pick up an injury, we're screwed. At this rate we'll be lucky to finish in the top six. Improvement needed in my opinion.

Bill: Two good performances and results against Dundee Utd and St Mirren have evaporated with two pretty well self-inflicted defeats against Hearts and Rangers. Why? Sadly the loyal and paying Killie fans will have to accept that the quality of players we have seem incapable of consistently good performances. Maybe the players should be asked to explain it.

Danny Rohl's first domestic game in charge ended with Rangers' first home league win of the season, with Youssef Chermiti's goal completing an ultimately comfortable win over Kilmarnock.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I'm almost saying exactly what I said last week against Hearts.

"We've conceded six goals in two games and you look at the nature of those goals, it's completely unacceptable. Sometimes players make mistakes, they're human beings, but when we collect the six goals over two games it becomes something we have to rectify.

"We can't just accept that we're going to lose goals in such a fashion. Today it stings us that our concentration levels, our decision making, is wrong as a group. To give yourself a chance in this league, especially coming to places like this, you have to rectify that.

"I'm not making a claim to say we were by the far better team but we got in to half time at 1-1. The third goal is inexcusable on a couple of fronts - if you look back there's several things that could have been done differently. It's a good enough strike but the save should be made. That's a wee bit frustrating because we got an opportunity at 2-1 but it was a fantastic save from the goalkeeper. The margins can be that fine.

"We know that the pack is very tight and you want to try and sustain your winning runs and limit the weeks where we lose games.

"We've got two days to pick the players up to prepare for our next game but I know when I was a player you're desperate for the next game to come. We know we carry a threat going to other way."

Image source, SNS

Lewis Mayo wants Kilmarnock to focus on themselves, rather than focus Rangers' woes, ahead of their clash on Sunday at Ibrox.

The Rugby Park side had enjoyed a good start to the season but were humbled 3-0 by Hearts last weekend, while Rangers are also coming into the game on the back of a 3-0 loss.

"Naturally, there's a bit of attention on them with some of the results they've had but from our point of view, we need to get ourselves right," Mayo said.

"The start was probably one of the few positives from the Hearts game. But there was a lot about it that we didn't like and probably the first game this season from our point of view that when things haven't gone our way, we've not responded well throughout the game.

"But the game on Sunday has its own challenges and even the venue can be a hard place to play as well."

Ibrox has been a tough crowd for Rangers of late, with fan protests and banners held aloft taking aim at the former manager and the board.

"Naturally the crowd starts to play a part in the game as well," Mayo added. "It could be an advantage for either team, depending on who's on top and how the game is going.

"It's obvious that there's a bit of frustration from their side and maybe we can tap into that. But the last thing we want to do is give them a lift to give them any encouragement."

Image source, SNS

Rangers have Nedim Bajrami available after he was ineligible to face Brann while fellow midfielder Mohamed Diomande was again missing in Norway.

Long-term absentees Rabbi Matondo (knee), Dujon Sterling (Achilles) and Kieran Dowell remain out.

Kilmarnock include new striker Tyreece John-Jules, who was brought in after Djenairo Daniels underwent knee surgery.

Marley Watkins is working his way back from a heel injury while Jamie Brandon and Matty Kennedy remain out. Tom Lowery is back training.

Image source, SNS

• Rangers have won each of their past eight home league games against Kilmarnock by an aggregate score of 22-3 since a 1-1 draw in March 2019.

• Kilmarnock have only won two of their past 13 league meetings with Rangers, losing the other 11, with both wins coming at home via 1-0 scoreline (Aug 2023, Oct 2024).

• Along with Falkirk, Rangers are one of just two sides yet to win a home game in the Scottish Premiership this season (P4 D3 L1). The Ibrox team haven't gone five home league matches without a win since August 1988 under Graeme Souness and last did so within a single season in May 1960 under Scot Symon (8 games).

• Kilmarnock have lost just one of their past five away league games, winning two of them (D2) – as many as their previous 18 on the road in the Scottish Premiership beforehand (W2 D4 L12). Killie haven't enjoyed back-to-back away wins in the competition since October 2020.

• This will be Danny Rohl's first league game in charge of Rangers; including caretakers, none of the past 10 managers to take charge of the club in the top flight lost their first game (W7 D3) since Graeme Murty went down 2-1 to Dundee as caretaker in February 2017. The last permanent Rangers boss to lose his first top-flight game with the club was Dick Advocaat in August 1998 (2-1 v Hearts).

Image source, SNS

Stuart Kettlewell expects "the best version of" Rangers when Kilmarnock travel to Ibrox on Sunday.

The struggling hosts have just one Scottish Premiership win all season and are one point and one place below Kettlewell's Killie, who are fifth in the table.

Rangers began new head coach Danny Rohl's reign by losing 3-0 away to Brann in Thursday's Europa League tie.

"I'll analyse the performance and how they played but I'll not pass comment about what I thought about it or starting to give clear description of what other people may or may not think," said manager Kettlewell.

"I get this narrative at the minute that everybody's jumping on the bandwagon, people will be talking about that result not being good enough last night.

"But again, when you start to look at it closely, there are a lot of good players in that Rangers squad.

"There's been heavy investment to make sure they bring in what they feel are top players and guys that can really flourish at the football club.

"I get and acknowledge it's not been the start in performances at Rangers that supporters, staff or players would be expecting.

"But I'm also the guy that really expects the best version of them on Sunday. And I think if you go there imagining something different, you're very, very naive and sometimes I think that's where you can get a smack in the face."

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock have signed former England Under-21 striker Tyreece John-Jules on a short-term deal until January.

The move follows a season-ending injury to striker Djenairo Daniels while on international duty with Suriname.

Arsenal academy product John-Jules, 24, spent last season at English League Two side Crawley Town and previously had loans spells at clubs including Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday.

He is available for a debut when Kilmarnock visit Rangers in the Premiership on Sunday.