Kilmarnock

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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.

Watch all the action from Kilmarnock's 2-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 2-0 win against Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

David: Positive performance once more. We wouldn't have won that under the previous management. Consistency is key, build momentum for next week.

Frank: Very polished, professional performance. Could have scored more goals. Defence were solid, midfield creative, especially young David Watson. Bruce Anderson looks sharp as a needle, he should be used as main striker with another. Still some good players to come back to full fitness. Looking solid at present.

Danny: Fantastic result, what we have been needing. Early days, don't see why we can't finish top-six this season. More than matched every team so far and should have beaten Celtic, who only won through a dodgy refereeing decision helping them cheat a win.

Robert: An outstanding performance especially away from home. Maybe we are seeing the green shoots of a winning away record that put last season's lack of away wins into distant memory.

Charlie: Good result for Kilmarnock. An away win they have been sadly lacking in the last few years. Kilmarnock were clearly the better side on the day.

David: Delighted for Stuart Kettlewell to get the result at Tannadice and it could have been more! Well done to everyone involved and especially Watson. What an engine that lad has!

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Defender Robbie Deas believes Kilmarnock fully deserved their victory over Dundee United on Saturday after a strong start to the season.

Deas was on the scoresheet as Killie ran out deserved 2-0 winners against an on form United side.

It was Killie's first victory of the Premiership campaign, having drawn four and lost one of their previous five league games.

"I think we have been unfortunate so far this season with some of the results," the 25-year-old said.

"Then again we have had two really good points away from home at Hibs and Motherwell,

"Tannadice is a tough place to come and to come here and get the three points and a clean sheet was huge.

"I think our performances have been good and we have just been missing that final edge and I think we showed that [on Saturday].

"Each game we watch back and we look at the positives and the negatives and what we can do better as a team and we work on those things. I think it is really important and I think we as a team have been thriving off it.

"We have got that many characters and I am just delighted we could put a good performance in and get the three points."

The centre-back scored for the second game in a row when he headed beyond Yevhenii Kucherenko in the Dundee United goal.

Although initially the United keeper had appeared to keep it out, the goal was awarded after it was deemed to have crossed the line by officials.

"I had a good view of it and I was pretty certain [it had crossed the line] but you never know," Deas added.

"A few decisions recently haven't really gone our way so I wasn't really holding my breath but I am glad it went our way and I got another goal.

"It is a part of the game I have been trying to add to for ages so I am delighted I have got two in two so hopefully I can build upon that but at the same time I just wanted the three points and the boys to play well."

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Kilmarnock recorded their first win of the Scottish Premiership season in style as they dispatched a meek Dundee United at Tannadice.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.

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Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "Scoring two goals away from home, getting a clean sheet. The performance was excellent.

"We tip-toed into it, both teams were a wee bit loose in possession at times. We felt there was space for us to exploit if we could connect. We started doing that. If I'm being really fussy I felt we could have scored a few more goals.

"I didn't feel we were a million miles away from where we wanted to be. Did we execute them game plan pretty well against St Mirren and Celtic? Yes.

"Two bitter blows cost us, and there might have been some negativity. Today, we got our just rewards for the performance and that gave the players a bit of extra confidence and belief.

"It's not been a million miles from what we've had all season. The level of consistency has been excellent. We won't get too carried away."

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Ryan Strain is back in contention for United, while Kristijan Trapanovski is set to return the following weekend. Isaac Pappoe (knee), Ross Graham and Max Watters (both hamstring) remain out.

Kilmarnock captain Brad Lyons is back in training, while Scott Tiffoney played 45 minutes for the B team in midweek as he works his way back from a calf injury. Jamie Brandon, Matty Kennedy and Tom Lowery are expected to remain on the sidelines.

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Stuart Kettlewell is working on improving Kilmarnock's away form but says there is no "magic wand" to fix it.

The Rugby Park manager, who was appointed in the summer, is looking to secure a first league victory of the season when his side visit Dundee United on Saturday.

Killie only won seven away games in their previous two campaigns, but have recorded draws at Easter Road and Fir Park this term so far.

"It's obviously something I looked at when I came into the football club," said Kettlewell.

"It was something that was discussed way, way back at the end of May.

"But there's never a magic wand in this. The way my mind works is that sometimes the game's going to feel different here than it does away from home. And again, we've practised that way.

"So when we go into an away fixture, it doesn't mean to say that we're going to work the exact same way during the week. We'll work slightly different. We'll maybe try and change the mindset.

"There'll be a few tweaks and changes to your gameplan because it is away from home and you're playing against a team that's obviously doing well.

"Dundee United had a 2-0 victory [against Aberdeen] through the week there. You're playing against a team full of confidence. So, I do believe in those slight alterations during the week to try and get to that game.

"I'm not going to give you exactly what that is and how that's going to look. But it's been a different preparation than it was to Celtic, different preparation from the cup game against St Mirren. And that's how I've always worked.

"Whether that changes, that statistic, that form, it's certainly something I believe in and it's certainly something I think can get us some more points on the road."