Kilmarnock

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes told BBC Scotland: "Considering there was nothing on the line for both teams, it was played in a good, competitive manner. We had the luxury of playing some boys who've not played a lot of football of late. We were aware they wouldn't last the 90.

"It was different for me that although the result was important, the priority was getting some game time for some of the lads.

"We score a goal through one of those players - Gary Mackay-Steven. His performance was good and he should be pleased. I thought their goal was offside. Having seen our angle of it, I think I'm right. I'm disappointed with that, because I'm shocked that wasn't overturned.

"We made a wee tweak with the shape at half-time, and we were much better second-half. Up until the sending off, we were the better team. I'd have taken a draw coming here today because Dundee are a top-six side.

"We've now gone a full six months having only lost to Rangers and Celtic in the league, and we wanted to hang on to that today. That's a remarkable record for a club like Kilmarnock and it was important to us."

For the fourth time this league season, Dundee and Kilmarnock couldn’t be separated as they both finished successful seasons with a draw at Dens Park.

After a slow start, Kilmarnock took the lead through Gary Mackay-Steven - who was making his first start on possibly his final appearance for the club.

Dundee hit back when Scott Tiffoney sprung the offside trap and played Luke McCowan in, with the deputising captain firing in. The effort was initially disallowed but VAR intervened to award the goal.

Kilmarnock hit the bar twice in the second-half and had Robbie Deas sent off for a second yellow, while McCowan missed a penalty to seal victory for Dundee in the 88th minute.

What did you think of that, Kilmarnock fans? Should you have won that? Or were you happy with the draw?

Let us know your thoughts.

If you told Derek McInnes where his teams would finish at the start of the season, he'd have absolutely snapped your hand off.

Although Kilmarnock gave away another leading position - 21 points lost from winning positions, only Dundee have lost more - and could be disappointed not to win having dominated large swathes of the game, they ultimately won't care care.

McInnes had a beach ball tucked defiantly under his arm after full-time, and he'll look forward to the chance to top up his tan on their European sojourn next year.

Keep hold of Kyle Vassell, Danny Armstrong, and Marley Watkins over the summer, and they'll have done extremely well. David Watson? That would be even better.

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Fraser Murray. The former Hibs winger was absolutely fantastic on a day where Kilmarnock left their usual creative sparks on the bench.

In the absence of Danny Armstrong and Matty Kennedy, Murray stepped up well, setting up the goal as well and smacking the crossbar.

Marley Watkins was his usual tenacious self, and will be a big loss if he is to depart Ayrshire this summer. A good shout for signing of the season.

Dundee XI: McCracken, Mulligan, McGhee, Portales, Donnelly, Dodgson, Sylla, McCowan, Cameron, Tiffoney, Bakayoko.

Substitutes: Sharp, Astley, Main, Robinson, Robertson, Howley, Boateng, Mellon, Costelloe.

Kilmarnock XI: O'Hara, Wright, Deas, Findlay, Ndaba, Mackay-Steven, Donnelly, Polworth, McKenzie, Murray, Watkins.

Substitutes: Dennis, Vassell, Kennedy, Armstrong, Watson, Balagizi, Cameron, Stewart, Van Veen.

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• Dundee are winless in nine Scottish Premiership meetings with Kilmarnock (D6 L3), although the last four have all been 2-2 draws.

• All three league meetings between Dundee and Kilmarnock this season have been drawn; the last fixture to be drawn four times in a Scottish top-flight campaign was Dunfermline Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2011-12 (Motherwell v St Johnstone could also be drawn four times this season).

• Dundee have lost their final match in their last seven top-flight seasons since a 1-1 draw with Livingston to finish 2004-05. Their last final-day win in the top tier was in 2003-04 (2-1 v Aberdeen).

• Excluding the curtailed 2019-20 season, Kilmarnock have won their final match in their last four Scottish Premiership seasons, last failing to do so in 2016-17 (2-1 loss to Ross County).

• Dundee have lost all four of their Scottish Premiership games since the split. The last top-six side to lose all five of their matches in a top-flight season after the split were St Johnstone in 2011-12.

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Derek McInnes insists Kilmarnock will still show their competitive spirit despite having nothing to play for in Saturday's curtain closer at Dundee.

The Rugby Park side have already secured fourth place and European football, while Tony Docherty's men are guaranteed to finish sixth.

But with the teams having drawn all three league meetings this term, McInnes is eyeing a strong end to the campaign.

“Our job has been done, we have finished exactly where we hoped for, exceeded expectations," he said.

“The reward of European football is magnificent. The fans have been so appreciative of the players, as I am.

“But tomorrow, once the ball rolls, that competitiveness that is in you, you still want to win the game.

“So we are not going up there with our shorts and sandals on. We are there to try to win the game of football.

McInnes says Killie will enter discussions with Premier League-bound Ipswich Town about the future of Corrie Ndaba, who is currently on loan from the Portman Road side.

“There is no plan at the minute," he said. "We were just focusing on this season, getting over the line, getting into Europe and there is obviously conversations to be had in the summer.

“Nothing has been spoken about. There will be conversations with Ipswich and Kilmarnock in the summer and we will see what happens.

"I am just focusing on Saturday and we will see where we go from there.”

Can Kilmarnock end the season on a high as they make a third trip of the campaign to Dundee?

Derek McInnes' men will look to bounce back from an uncharacteristic showing on Wednesday as Celtic ran out 5-0 winners at Rugby Park.

Who would you like to see in the starting line-up? Pick your team here.

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Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes says he is "delighted" to be named the Scottish Premiership manager of the year.

The 52-year-old has taken the Rugby Park side from relegation uncertainty to European football in one season, with a fourth-place finish guaranteeing a spot in the Europa League second qualifying round.

McInnes missed out on the PFA Scotland manager of the year award earlier this month, given to Falkirk's John McGlynn.

But the manager says the prize is testament to the collective effort that has gone in to a successful campaign in Ayrshire.

“I am delighted to accept this award, like any individual award there is a whole support team that’s played their part in it," McInnes told club media, external.

“Having brilliant staff, I am recognising the effort from all of them, and the efforts of the players, the club is working as one and everyone is contributing.

“When positive results play out on the pitch and individual awards get given, it’s indicative of the club doing a lot of things right on the pitch.”

We asked for your views after Killie's 5-0 defeat to Celtic at Rugby Park.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Robert: Kilmarnock have had a brilliant season when you think where we were three seasons ago. Fourth and Europe is brilliant, Celtic were up for it, and Killie looked like they were heading to the beach. However, we had a refereeing performance that highlighted why no Scottish referees are at the Euros, and Willie Collum isn't the answer. Complete overhaul needed.

Jim: Celtic didn't need much help but the decision by the referee early in the game set the whole pattern for the night. They didn't stop for the head injury to our player but did so for Celtic later on in the game. Dereck McInnes should be proud of his players but on the night Celtic were miles better than us.

Robert: It would be churlish to say anything other that Celtic were excellent, at times unplayable. They played with a speed and movement that we couldn't match. They certainly didn't need a helping hand with the first goal which they got.

Adam: Only one team turned up I’m afraid and it wasn’t Killie. We sat back and gave them far too much time and possession, no shutting them down or even pressing them in their own half.

• St Johnstone have failed to win in their last five games in the Scottish Premiership, their last joint longest winless streak was from 20 December 2023 to 27 January 2024.

• Graham Carey has assisted eight goals this season (one in this game), more than any other St Johnstone player in the Scottish Premiership.

• Ross County have scored in their last 3 games in the Scottish Premiership, their joint longest scoring streak this season.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes revealed referee Don Robertson apologised for letting Celtic's opener stand in the Rugby Park side's 5-0 loss on Wednesday that clinched the title for the visitors. (Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes believes fans staying behind to applaud his team despite being battered by Celtic is testament to their successful season.

Kilmarnock were dismantled by Celtic as they emphatically sealed a 12th Scottish Premiership title in 13 seasons at Rugby Park.

First-half goals from Adam Idah, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest sent Celtic into the break three up before Matt O'Riley added a double after the interval.

Derek McInnes' side, already guaranteed fourth spot, were denied a Danny Armstrong consolation at four down, with Marley Watkins judged to be offside by the VAR in the build-up.

This result will not define a stellar season for Kilmarnock, who have caused problems for both Old Firm clubs this term, but they were simply blown away by a Celtic side determined to win a 54th top-flight crown in style.

Were you at Rugby Park or following the match elsewhere? Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here.

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"For those who I need to convince, I will see you here in May" was the message from Brendan Rodgers to a polarised Celtic support on the day of his unveiling last June.

A year later, those who needed convincing have been won over and the decision from the board to bring him back for a second spell has been vindicated.

Even by Rodgers’ own admission, it has been far from vintage from a Celtic side who have made life difficult for themselves at times, but they have clicked into gear at a crucial period while their city rivals have faltered.

For Kilmarnock, it is a night to forget but a season to remember.

The dread of some in the away end travelling to Ayrshire on Wednesday pays testament to the work of Derek McInnes and his players, who have Europe to look forward to next term after proving they are comfortably Scotland’s fourth-best side.

Brendan Rodgers makes one change to the Celtic side that started Saturday's Old Firm win and it's a notable one.

Kyogo Furuhashi drops to the bench and is replaced by Adam Idah up top.

It's also just one switch for Kilmarnock following the weekend win at St Mirren.

It comes in goal as Will Dennis is dropped for Kieran O'Hara, who plays his first game since January.

• Listen to match commentary & follow live text updates

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• Kilmarnock have only lost one of their four meetings with Celtic in all competitions this season (W2 D1). Kilmarnock could win three times in a single campaign against Celtic for the first time, while the last club to do so against the Hoops were Rangers in 2020-21 (four).

• Celtic have lost both of their last two visits to Kilmarnock in all competitions, last losing three in a row away to Killie in October 1964.

• Including the curtailed 2019-20 season, Kilmarnock are unbeaten in their final home game in each of their last five Scottish Premiership seasons (W3 D2) since a 1-2 defeat to Ross County in 2016-17.

• Celtic haven’t won their final away league game (incl. curtailed 2019-20 season) in any of their last five seasons (D3 L2) since a 3-1 win at Hearts in 2017-18.

• Since the turn of the millennium, the only managers to win more matches against Celtic in all competitions than Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes (eight) are Walter Smith (10) and Alex McLeish (nine).

Rugby Park will be where most eyes will be glued on Wednesday given Celtic could seal a 54th Scottish title.

Rangers almost gifted the title to Celtic against Dundee but their fightback means Brendan Rodgers' side has the chance to haul themselves over the line in Ayrshire.

A point is all Celtic need, but had Rangers got at least a draw in Saturday's Old Firm derby, Rodgers would have been heading to Rugby Park with some degree of trepidation.

Kilmarnock have already beaten his side twice this season there - indeed, they have only lost one of their four meetings overall.

Derek McInnes' fourth-placed team have only lost once - to Rangers - in their last seven outings and have been beaten just once in 12 on their own patch, again by the Ibrox side.

However, following Saturday's 2-1 derby win, Celtic are themselves unbeaten in nine in an impressive run-in during which they have overturned their city rivals' lead at the top.

If Celtic are to be prevented from partying back up the M77, Kilmarnock will have to beat them three times in one season for the first time in their history - and be the first to do so since Rangers in 2021.

Read the rest of the midweek Premiership picks here.

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Kilmarnock defender Joe Wright is free from suspension while James Balagizi returns from a knee issue. Midfielders Brad Lyons (knee) and Kyle Magennis (hamstring) are out for the season.

Celtic defender Alistair Johnston has shaken off the ankle knock he received from Rangers midfielder John Lundstram while Yang Hyun-jun is available after a foot problem.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is confident of "good news" regarding Danny Armstrong's future as he looks to secure the standout winger on a new deal.

Armstrong, 26, has been instrumental in helping the Ayrshire side secure fourth in the Premiership with a couple of games to spare and is in talks over extending his contract, which expires next May.

“We have been speaking. Hopefully there is some good news on that soon," said McInnes.

"We’d like Danny to stay and Danny has indicated he’d love to stay. He’s playing the best football of his career here, Kilmarnock has been really good for Danny and Danny has been brilliant for us.

"Hopefully there’s a deal there to be done. We’ve had loads of conversations with a lot of players behind the scenes about extending and signing. And [we are] speaking to others from outwith to try and get them in the door as well for pre-season, so these conversations are ongoing.”

Asked about the higher level to which Armstrong has risen across the course of the season, McInnes joked: “Until he signs his contract, he’s done alright.

"He has done well. His numbers, his assists. I love the fact Danny just wants the ball all the time. Even when he’s going through a tough phase in a game, he never hides, never shirks his responsibility.

"I think he’s done better without the ball, there’s more trust in what we’re asking of him. He’s a pleasure to be about every day, as they all are."

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Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media as Kilmarnock prepare to host Celtic on Wednesday night.

Here are the key points from the Rugby Park boss:

• McInnes wants his team to "finish the season right" in the final home fixture against a Celtic side on the brink of the title.

• Kilmarnock will need to "do so much right" and McInnes accepts facing "a fully motivated Celtic is difficult" but urged his players to rise to the same levels that have earned them two wins and a draw from four meetings with the champions this season.

• He adds: "Nobody wants us just to fulfil a fixture". The match is "a big deal, a big game" live on TV and Killie aim to show "we’re a good side".

• This term has been "as enjoyable a season as I’ve had as a manager". He wants the side to move forward from the platform they’ve built and be credible in Europe, in the cups and also in the league again next season.

• There have been "positive talks" with winger Danny Armstrong about extending his contract, which is now into its final year.

• Team news: Kyle Magennis and Brad Lyons are still out but Joe Wright returns from suspension after being sent off at Ibrox while James Balagizi is back in the squad after tweaking his knee.