Kilmarnock

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Hearts boss Derek McInnes says the manner of his departure from Kilmarnock was not ideal - but he feels comfortable with the way he handled himself.

Top-of-the-table Hearts head to the Ayrshire club on Saturday, whom McInnes left in May to take over at Tynecastle.

"I was disappointed I never got the chance to say goodbye properly," he said.

"I get the emotion of it all and how quickly it turned towards the back end of the season, but I can look myself in the mirror and say I did everything right by Kilmarnock.

"I'd said to them that if Hearts made the approach that I wanted to speak to them, and that was the only thing that probably didn't sit well with a lot of people at Kilmarnock.

"The main people at the club were all fully aware. When I look back now, I made it clear through my agent to Hearts and Kilmarnock that I wasn't going to speak to until Kilmarnock were safe. I feel good about that.

"I felt it was the right thing to do. I wanted no distractions and we made sure once Kilmarnock were safe, I was hoping then there could be a natural opportunity to speak to Hearts.

"I took the game against Motherwell, it was Billy who had asked me to take the team and I went along with it, but I thought for obvious reasons it was always going to be a difficult once it became clear I was keen to speak to Hearts.

"That's all in the past. I had some brilliant times at Kilmarnock. My family were fully invested in the club, three-and-a-half years there.

"Our promotion, fourth spot, European adventures, the majority were good times. I have only good feelings towards Kilmarnock and the people there."

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Every time we have an international break it simply reinforces how much I love Killie and how much I miss them as we endure the national team's battles.

The old club versus country pub argument was always 'would you rather Killie win the league or Scotland win the World Cup?'

It's a no brainer for me - Killie all day long, though I'm not holding my breath for either.

If we are going to bag the title this season the best place to start would be beating league leaders Hearts on Saturday.

It's really set up to be a belter with both teams in form and a late kick-off ensuring the home supporters will be well oiled and in good voice.

I'm sure Derek McInnes will get a frosty reception after leaving Killie for Hearts in May and I fancy he'll head back to Gorgie with a single-goal defeat.

I'll back David Watson to be the goal scoring hero again and I predict there will also be a red card.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

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Scottish football's head of referees says that the type of penalty that earned Celtic a last-gasp Scottish Premiership win away to Kilmarnock last month should not be given in future.

Kilmarnock defender Lewis Mayo was penalised for handball by referee John Beaton after a VAR review before Kelechi Iheanacho scored from the spot to secure a 2-1 stoppage-time victory.

The ball struck Mayo after a shot had deflected off team-mate Robbie Deas.

Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum told the VAR Review Show: "The arm is definitely up, it's unnatural.

"If the shot goes direct here and hits Lewis Mayo in that position and there's no deflection, it's 100% a penalty kick.

"Even in this situation with the deflection, in law you can justify a penalty because of the body shape.

"The law doesn't talk about deflection or close proximity. This is guidance rather than law, which talks about unnatural position.

"However, it's about stakeholders' views and pretty much nobody accepted this as a penalty.

"We've had good discussions with the KMI (key match incident) panel, with clubs and also players and the feeling is this should not be punished going forward.

"So we want to recalibrate in terms of this decision. That, if it's such close proximity and it's deflected, even if the arm's in this position, then we don't punish it.

"But there's a slight caveat to that and that is two key words - impact, consequence. If we put this in the goal-line and the ball's going into the net then it changes everything altogether."

Collum agreed with decisions over other contentious handball incidents in September, saying Deas should not have been punished against St Mirren because his arm was in a natural position.

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Kilmarnock defender George Stanger has realised a "long-time goal" to be selected for an international team at senior level and says it will be "really special" to now earn a first cap.

Darren Bazeley handed the 25-year-old, who has previously played at under-20 and under-23 level, his first call-up to the New Zealand squad for friendlies against Poland and Norway.

Having been unused on the bench for Thursday's 1-0 defeat by Poland, Stanger is now hoping for a senior debut on Tuesday.

"It's something I've been looking forward to since I got the news," he said.

"To get the opportunity to be involved in the squad has been amazing and I'm learning a lot from it.

"I know a few of the boys quite well, so it's been an easy transition in terms of catching up with them and everyone I've not met before has been very welcoming.

"It's been a goal of mine for a long time and something I've been working towards.

"To get the opportunity to be on the pitch would be really special."

We asked your views on our fan writer's suggestion Kilmarnock should be looking to tie down Marcus Dackers and Dominic Thompson on deals beyond next summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Bruce: Spot on Sandy! Dackers and Thompson both put in big shifts and create a lot of chances. They seem very committed to the cause... let's show them we want them.

Davey: In the face of extractive agents and economic realities, contract extension isn't a straightforward task. But, long term, for players and club, it could be a win-win; think Corrie Ndaba. The Theatre of Pies gives the likes of Thompson an excellent platform to perform, as well as for further development of academy players such as Ben Brannan and David Watson. Ultimately, the individual has to decide.

John: We lost important young players last year because contracts ran out and we missed out of potential transfer fees. Don't do a repeat - get them signed up we don't want to lose our promising players and have to start all over again.

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George Stanger has earned a first New Zealand call-up for friendlies against Poland and Norway.

Djenairo Daniels is part of the Suriname squad as they face Guatemala and Panama in World Cup qualifiers.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Kilmarnock followed up their fine display and 2-0 win at Tannadice with an equally pleasing repeat against in-form St Mirren.

Back-to-back victories have been few and far between over the past few years so to do it while keeping clean sheets must be hugely satisfying for Stuart Kettlewell and his management team.

In his post-match interview Marcus Dackers paid tribute to the bosses for their hard work with him on the training ground.

It looks like Kettlewell sees the giant striker as a bit of a project - we should maybe get him signed on an extended contract if his display on Saturday is anything to go by.

Dominic Thompson, like Dackers, is improving week on week and is out of contract next summer. After a disappointing debut I can see him turning into a fans' favourite - he is another player who needs a longer deal.

All in all it's been a great couple of weeks for us and huge credit has to go to the manager for our fine start to the season.

Kilie supporters, do you agree with our fan writer on contracts? Let us know your thoughts here.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Kilmarnock impressed in their 2-0 victory over St Mirren at Rugby Park on Saturday, and they've got two players in my team of the week.

James Brown played a tremendous cross to provide the assist for Marcus Dackers as Killie sealed three points against St Mirren and a clean sheet as well.

The tireless tyro in midfield for Kilmarnock. David Watson followed up magnificently when the keeper spilled the ball to put Kilmarnock 1-0 in front on their way to victory over St Mirren. The 20-year-old is a real driving force in a Kilmarnock side enjoying a great start to the season and there is huge excitement about his potential.

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell believes Marcus Dackers is starting to reap the rewards of his hard work after netting in Killie's 2-0 victory over St Mirren.

Dackers has scored three times in 12 appearances after moving to Rugby Park from Salford in the summer but Saturday's header was his first Premiership goal.

Kettlewell hopes that after working on his heading technique with coaching staff, the Welshman will continue to score more.

"I need to go back to his work ethic on this and go back to the coaching staff and everybody that works with the players," the Killie manager said.

"It's a brilliant moment because Marcus has headed a few balls this week in practice and we've spent a lot of time with him trying to work on his movement into the box, trying to get away from defenders, but also the quality of the finishes.

"The bit that's obvious is he's six foot seven but we feel that he can pitch in with more goals from those crosses into the box. I think that's why you've seen him running over to [Kilmarnock coach] Stevie Frail and some of the guys after his goal. We're having to drag him off the pitch because he wants to get better.

"That's the most pleasing thing for the coaching staff, that you do your work during the week to try and reap the rewards at the weekend. I think everybody's seen how much the big fella brings to the game. We feel that he can chip in with more goals, as does he. So it's nice for him to get his rewards."

Kettlewell also feels that Dackers' versatility will prove to be a major asset for Kilmarnock moving forward once he gets up to full fitness.

He added: "I think you go to the obvious angle of hold-up play because of his size.

"But I would flip it. You see the dying embers of the game. You see he's got good feet. You can see he can run and shift into wide areas as well. So, I think he's shown us a lot. And one of the simple ones that people kind of forget is match fitness.

"If you'd watched him at the start of the season when he's cramping up and he's starting to fatigue, it looks like he can play 90 minutes now."

Watch all the highlights from Kilmarnock's 2-0 victory against St Mirren at Rugby Park in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 2-0 win against St Mirren.

Here's what some of you said:

Frank: Another professional, competent performance. Defence was solid, midfield - especially David Watson - ran the show. In all honesty we had the more clear-cut chances in the second half. Strikers worked hard, Bruce Anderson ran and ran and was involved in the two goals.

Dougie: Brilliant. We have to keep Watson for as long as possible. I hope he doesn't go to the Old Firm when his contract ends, they will ruin his career. Can Anderson not last 90 minutes? I can't understand why he keeps getting substituted.

David: Great victory and put the Buddies in their place. Again great engine by Watson to get his goal and sublime pass and header for our second. Could have been a lot more had we taken our other chances. St Mirren were very frail in defence with Alex Gogic lucky to escape a sending off.

John: Well deserved and overdue home win, the best team won. Watson was again the guiding light and got his deserved goal. Great to see Marcus Dackers on the scoresheet too. Overall a good team performance, still wasteful in front of goal but positives in all positions.

Scott: I'm increasingly impressed with Stuart Kettlewell. Recruitment has been strong, he's playing round pegs in round holes and not chopping and changing the team needlessly. The players look like they are being coached better than under the previous manager. Watson is rejuvenated and it's nice to feel like you actually have a chance in away games. Tough game today with the weather but St Mirren barely laid a glove on us. Very encouraging.

Stephen: If that had been last season in those conditions we'd all have had sore necks this morning, so huge credit for Kettlewell for sticking to a more passing brand of football. Neither Dominic Thompson, nor James Brown are first-choice full-backs, but not only have they been great defensively, their distribution going forward has turned draws into wins. As for Watson, is there a more consistent performer in the league? And to think the previous manager had him on the bench...

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "We were the better team. It was really difficult for both teams in the early part of the game to try and get a foot on the ball and have some sort of quality.

"The first goal is the real catalyst for us to get going. We found a space when St Mirren jumped out, Bruce does really well and we keep seeing David Watson's energy, week after week, to get on the end of it.

"The second is especially pleasing. We just managed the game really well, had the better chances in the second half and it could've been more.

"If I'm honest, I wasn't expecting to stand here with as routine a victory as it was, because those teams are really close, but credit to the players.

[On David Watson] "He's a breath of fresh air to work with, he's quality. We talk about non-negotiables which is good body language, energy, application, desire to play the game - he's got that in spade loads. I love watching him, working with him every single day.

"He gives you a spike to your team, he drives people on with him, which is a terrific trait to have at such a young age."

Kilmarnock made it two consecutive victories in the Scottish Premiership as they overcame St Mirren at Rugby Park to rise to third.

Read the match report.

Have your say here.

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Kilmarnock have lost Marley Watkins to a heel injury. Scott Tiffoney is closing in on a comeback from a calf injury while Jamie Brandon, Matty Kennedy and Tom Lowery remain out.

St Mirren midfielder Keanu Baccus has a chance of shaking off a groin injury but skipper Mark O'Hara (foot) remains out.

Marcus Fraser is back training after an ankle problem but is not ready to play.

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Defender James Brown admits he was "cautious" on where he wanted to move after leaving Ross County at the end of last season but signing for Kilmarnock was a "no-brainer".

The 27-year-old spent two seasons in Dingwall, making 73 appearances and scoring three goals before his contract ended in the summer and County were relegated from the top flight.

As a free agent, the Irishman spent the summer with the PFA in England as part of an initiative that gives a chance for unattached players to keep up fitness as they look to earn a contract, which Brown achieved when he got the call from Killie at the end of August.

"I kept my fitness up the whole summer because I knew I was going to get a call at some point that would suit me and I needed to ready," said Brown.

"It probably went on a bit long for my own decisions but everyone around me was in the same position.

"There were some big Premier League names coming in and some players who have had good Championship careers, even in Scottish leagues, and I was wondering how they haven't got a club. I did worry at times.

"I was really cautious of what my next club was going to be and there were a lot of factors like location that came into it. When I was up in Inverness, it was difficult to get home.

"League and managers were factors as well so when this came up, it was a no-brainer. It was exciting. Anything before that wasn't really exciting me so when this came up, I jumped on it.

"I've loved every minute of it so far and everyone has been really welcoming."

Stuart Kettlewell's side, who sit seventh in the table, are looking to build on their first Premiership win when they face St Mirren on Saturday.

"We've been playing really and we have been confident. The top six is the aim but we want to push as high as possible," Brown added.

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• Kilmarnock remain unbeaten in 12 top-flight home games against St Mirren (W8 D4) since a 3-1 defeat in May 2013 under Kenny Shiels.

• After their 5-1 win in March, St Mirren are looking for successive top-flight victories over Kilmarnock for the first time since May 2012 under Danny Lennon.

• Kilmarnock are yet to win a home league game in three attempts this season (D2 L1); Stuart Kettlewell could become the first manager to fail to win each of his first four home top-flight matches in charge of the club since Lee McCulloch didn't win any of his first six from February to May 2017.

• St Mirren have won their past two league games and could win three in a row for only the second time since the start of 2023, after doing so in December 2024.

• Since his debut for the club in August 2023, Mikael Mandron has more goals (16) and more assists (seven) than any other player for St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership. Mandron has scored (one) or assisted (two) in three of his past four league games.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell has insisted he does not view Bruce Anderson as merely an impact substitute as he revealed that fellow forward Marley Watkins faces "several weeks" on the sidelines.

Anderson scored the opening goal in Saturday's 2-0 win away to Dundee United, having also found the net in the previous game - the Premier Sports Cup defeat by St Mirren - after coming off the bench.

Kettlewell praised Anderson and midfielder Greg Kiltie on their returns to the starting line-up and said: "I didn't come here with a mindset that I saw Bruce as a sub or just one of these impact players.

"He is a player I had been interested in previously and worked pretty hard to try to get him before he came to Kilmarnock.

"You don't do that with someone you think is just an impact player and he was part of a nucleus that I was pleased to inherit."

Anderson's chances of retaining his place at home to St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday have been enhanced by Watkins' injury.

"If you look at the chance he gets towards the end of the game to make it 3-0, you'll see he starts hobbling at the end of that," Kettlewell said.

"He's got a problem with his heel. We have had it scanned and we just need to see how that settles in the next week or so.

"We don't even think it was contact. It was just planting his foot."

Anderson had replaced Djenairo Daniels against United, having come on for the Netherlands-born 23-year-old against St Mirren.

"In the case of Djenairo, he'll be disappointed to miss out from the start against Dundee United, but I don't think it showed as I thought he was excellent when he came on," the manager said.

Kettlewell thought such competition for places is part of the reason Daniels has received his first international call-up by Suriname - and likewise defender George Stanger for New Zealand.

"I don't know if it's good news that they're travelling all over the world," the manager added. "All kidding aside, it's brilliant news for the football club.

"I am always a huge advocate of when we bring players here, that's part of the conversation - we want to give them a platform to try to achieve their goals."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell addressed the media on Thursday morning as he looked ahead to Saturday's Scottish Premiership visit by St Mirren.

Here are the key points:

• Forward Marley Watkins will "miss several weeks" with a heel injury that has been scanned but is still being assessed. The 34-year-old Welshman landed awkwardly when trying to extend Kilmarnock's lead near the end of last weekend's win over Dundee United.

• No update on a new contract for midfielder David Watson, who has been called up to the Scotland Under-21 squad. Kettlewell says he has been working on that since he arrived at the club in May but "we need the buy-in from the player, the agent, the family and the football club" and he remains "hopeful".

• First international call-ups for defender George Stanger and forward Djenairo Daniels, for New Zealand and Suriname respectively, is "brilliant news" and a reward for their consistency.

• Apart from Watkins, Kettlewell's squad is "as you were" for Saturday's game, with midfielder Scott Tiffoney continuing his recovery from long-term injury.

• St Mirren are just "the next opponent" despite last month's Premier Sports Cup defeat on penalties by the Paisley team and he expects another game of "fine margins" against "a strong side who are consistent".

• Victory over Dundee United last weekend was "was very good - start to finish" and Kettlewell's side "looked strong, resolute" away from home against an in-form team.

• He wants consistency but points out Killie have played as well in spells this season without the results they deserve. They have "a really good togetherness" and similar performances will also generate more such results.

• Kettlewell praised striker Bruce Anderson and midfielder Greg Kiltie for their performances in returning to the side, saying it was reward for their attitude in training despite not starting - and others were doing likewise.

• He does not view Anderson as merely a substitute or impact player as he had tried to sign the player before both arrived at Kilmarnock, including on loan while the striker was with Aberdeen.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

It's no secret that under Derek McInnes our away record was an embarrassment, so victory at Tannadice on Saturday was extremely enjoyable for many reasons.

Killie have always carried a healthy away following and it was refreshing to see every one of them stride out of the ground with a big grin on their face.

We watched some depressingly negative away displays in recent years, so the manner in which the team approached such a difficult fixture was uplifting.

Our first goal exemplified the change in attitude with slick passing rounded off with a clinical finish. Bruce Anderson is our best option for goals so let's hope this sparks a productive run for the likeable wee striker.

We have a hard run of games coming up starting with another clash with in-form St Mirren on Saturday.

The cup tie was a bruising encounter that could have gone either way. The Buddies will turn it into a physical battle as always but if we can stand up to that then I fancy the confidence gained from the win on Saturday can help us grab a 2-1 victory.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Kilmarnock picked up their first league win of the season with a fine display at Tannadice on Saturday - they have two players in my team of the week as a result.

Robbie Deas is always a solid performer for Kilmarnock and can be a real asset in the attacking third as demonstrated by his goal, which just crossed the line.

Kilmarnock played some terrific footbal against a tough Dundee United side. The one-touch build-up for Bruce Anderson's goal was great to see and the striker took his chance with a superb sharpness.

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Stuart Kettlewell is believed to have won over Kilmarnock fans after a "lukewarm" reception to his appointment.

Killie secured their first win of the Premiership season with a 2-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice, having drawn four and lost one of their opening five league games.

Kettlewell resigned as Motherwell manager in January after two years at the club, citing the personal abuse he received following a downturn in results.

He took over from now Hearts manager Derek McInnes at Killie in May in an unpopular move with some fans fearing the worst.

But Stephen McGowan, a football writer for The Herald, says there are "a lot of good things" happening at the club.

"There was a lukewarm reception for him when he went in there," McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It was a tough act to follow on from Derek McInnes, but even though they weren't winning games until the weekend, they were giving a good account of themselves.

"It was very unfortunate they did not take a point against Celtic.

"I think they've recruited well. They've got good young players in David Watson and Ben Brannan and it's really a positive outlook for Kilmarnock.

"They're moving to a new training ground fairly shortly so there's a lot of good things happening there.

"After his traumatic experience at Motherwell, I think he probably deserves a break."

Watch Sportscene analysis of Bruce Anderson's impact for Kilmarnock in their 2-0 victory at Tannadice.