Kilmarnock

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While Neil Critchley and Simo Valakari will be trying to find the infamous 'new manager bounce', a much more experienced head will be bidding to build on an unlikely boost.

It looked like curtains for Kilmarnock when they fell 2-0 down after 81 minutes to 10-man Dundee last time out, but the Ayrshire side came roaring back for their first league victory of the campaign.

Now Derek McInnes must turn his attention to improving home form, usually such a strength.

Killie are winless in five top flight games at Rugby Park (D3 L2), which is their longest run since a bleak sequence of nine from May-November 2017.

The problem is Rangers are Sunday's opponents and they have won four of their previous six visits. The Ibrox team have also kept seven clean sheets in their last nine games.

After a slow start, Kilmarnock have certainly improved in front of goal, scoring eight in their last three outings, but McInnes will need to tighten up a defence that has conceded 17 in seven to have a chance of repeating his win over Rangers on the first day of last term.

Read the rest of this weekend's Premiership picks

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Derek McInnes wants to break the cycle of coming from behind as Kilmarnock chase their first home win of the Premiership campaign against Rangers on Sunday.

The Ayrshire side are yet to open the scoring in seven league outings, although they are unbeaten in their last four, with three draws followed by a dramatic 3-2 victory away to Dundee last time out.

"We know we've got that performance in us to beat Rangers and hopefully we can deliver that," said McInnes.

"We've allowed the opposition to score the first goal too many occasions this season and it's something that we want to stop.

"Stop having to come from behind, stop giving ourselves a mountain to climb and start to really impose ourselves in the game - particularly when you play against a team like Rangers."

Killie fans have not been able to celebrate a win at Rugby Park so far this term, with five draws and one loss in all competitions.

Last season, they picked up 35 points from 19 home games in the top flight.

"We want to be a team that's confident at home as we've shown in the past," said McInnes.

"We're only one point less off when we were at this stage last season and that was after having beaten Rangers in the first game, so it was a wee bit of a slow burner last year and we went on to have a brilliant campaign.

"I think we'll get that familiarity of selection and that was a real benefit to us last season. We've scored eight goals in the last three games, so we're finding our feet."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has been talking with the media prior to hosting Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Here are his key lines:

• McInnes believes the manner of the late 3-2 comeback win against Dundee before the international break was "fantastic" and "exactly what we needed" after waiting so long for their first Premiership victory.

• He pointed to being now five games unbeaten but conceded there have been too many draws within that: "Wins take us where we want to be, draws don't," he said.

• McInnes suggested teams know Kilmarnock are traditionally strong at home and that his squad have "that performance in us to beat Rangers."

• The manager pointed to starting games better and needing to "impose yourself on the game" as too often they have given themselves "a mountain to climb".

• After such a successful campaign last season that led to European football, McInnes also reminded everyone that the club are only one point worse off than they were at this stage of last season and that they're now "finding our feet".

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• Kilmarnock have lost nine of their last 10 league meetings with Rangers, winning the other 1-0 on the opening matchday of last season.

• Rangers have won four of their last six league visits to Kilmarnock (L2), this after failing to win their previous six beforehand (D2 L4).

• Kilmarnock are winless in five home league games (D3 L2), their longest such run in the Scottish Premiership since going nine without winning from May-November 2017.

• In all competitions, Rangers have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine games. In the other two, however, they lost by a margin of three goals – 0-3 v Celtic in September and 1-4 v Lyon this month.

• Rangers have used more different players (26) than any side in the Scottish Premiership this season. Despite this, however, they have had just five different goalscorers (excl. own goals), with only three sides having fewer in the competition this term.

We asked for your views on what you want to see from Killie.

Here's what some of you said:

Samuel: I think maybe Gary Mackay-Steven needs to get a start, he brings so much more skill than Danny Armstrong brings and he can actually beat a player. When he started against Motherwell in the cup he was excellent for 60 minutes. I also think Robbie Deas could become a first-team starter now, I think he is a quality player, he deserves a run in the team.

John: It's time we had a no-nonsense defender and a captain at the back instead of up front.

Sandy: Europe didn't do us any favours this season so we are needing to catch up. We battled hard to get a result against Dundee and we need to keep that going. Our biggest problem seems to be with our attack. Our scoring threat seems to be coming from midfield this season and not from our strikers. That needs to change.

Typical, right?

Kilmarnock get their first league win of the season and instead of gathering momentum, another international break hits.

Derek McInnes' side do, finally, return this weekend though, with Rangers coming to town.

Now, we want to know what you’re looking for from Killie?

What needs to be built on from that Dundee win? Where do improvements need to be made between now and the next mini-international break next month? (Another one, we know).

Give us your thoughts here., external

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Having endured yet another international weekend, it's good to return to reality as Kilmarnock prepare to face Rangers on Sunday.

With a first league win under our belt, Killie have nothing to fear in a fixture that has produced some amazing memories over the years.

The final game at the old style Rugby Park saw Killie grab a single goal victory with a Tam Black special securing the points. It was a fitting way to say farewell to the old terracing and there have been plenty of further Killie wins as we sit rather than stand.

Steve Clarke had a fantastic record over Rangers, with Boydy grabbing a couple of quick fire goals to secure three points while Jordan Jones thanked his new employers by firing in the winner in another 2-1 win.

Perhaps our beautiful Sunday victory to secure European football was the best of all, though. Brophy's last-gasp penalty sparked scenes that will be remembered for long and weary.

The under performing visitors do not enjoy coming to the home of football and this is another opportunity for the current squad to create new memories.

I better take a day off work on Monday just in case the champagne corks are popping again...

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English has been answering your questions.

Denham asked: Where do you think Killie will finish in the league this season, based on what you’ve seen so far? Also, do you think we realistically can go far the Scottish Cup which is a particular aim of Derek McInnes?

Tom answered: Based on what I have seen so far I would say they will finish in a lowly position, Denham. But I would not judge Killie on what I have seen so far.

They are in a false position in my view. They would want to get a move on fairly soon - recent signs are positive - but I think they are capable of getting up that table pretty sharpish.

The squad is good, the management is good, the confidence has been low but that can change fairly rapidly. Fourth, fifth or sixth would be my prediction. It would be a poor season if they didn't make the top six with the players they've got.

A Cup run? Everybody needs a bit of luck. Losing to what was then a very poor Aberdeen team last season and to Inverness Caledonian Thistle the season before was pretty wasteful on Killie’s part.

If they get some good fortune with the draw and are more ruthless than they have been in beating teams they should be beating, then they can make it Hampden

Alan asked: Would you agree that Kilmarnock are in good hands and being run well?

Tom answered: I agree, Alan. The board are visible and in the community. Clearly very passionate and very responsible Killie people.

They have backed Derek McInnes and they got rewards last season for it. I don't think it will be very long before Killie are back up there challenging for another fourth-place finish.

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This will be music to Kilmarnock fans' ears.

On the back of last season's "dream season", David Watson is eyeing up adding more goals to his game.

The midfielder, who is preparing to take on Belgium in a crucial Euro qualifier with Scotland Under-21s on Friday night, says his "amazing" breakthrough campaign with Derek McInnes' side was "unexpected" but he's aiming to build on the learnings he experienced.

Watson, who made 45 Killie appearances last term and scored four times, told the Scottish FA: "It was a dream season for me to come through and play as much as I did.

"That was the main thing for me last year, to try and play as much games as I did. I didn't really expect to have the season I did, it was just amazing.

"It was such a big learning curve for me as well, I played well, but I made some mistakes which benefited me. I learned things last season which I can take into this one and hopefully build on."

One of those things is scoring goals. The 19-year-old has already scored three times this season, but it's a tally he is determined to bolster.

"[I'm] not particularly a goalscoring midfielder, it’s something that me and the gaffer have spoken about, trying to add more goals to my game," he added.

"That's something that people are looking for in a midfielder, to score more goals, and to always be arriving in the box and being able to run into the box and getting goals.

"That's what every number eight should be now."

The number eight is what he'll be hoping to have on his back when Scotland take on Belgium at Tynecastle on Friday night. Get through that, and next summer's major tournament is very much a possibility.

"I'd be buzzing to be a part of that," Watson said of the Euros.

"The games I've played, I've done pretty well, so hopefully I can keep pushing at club level as well and hopefully I can be there for that experience."

What would you like to ask Tom English about Kilmarnock?

Our chief sportswriter is in the hotseat ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Who has been the top performer so far? Is the manager living up to expectations?

Put your questions to Tom here, external.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

There have been a few games so far this season where Killie have done enough to win but for various reasons have failed to do so.

At Dens Park on Saturday we were bang average at best for 85 minutes yet somehow snatched three points in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

When Dundee scored their second goal with less than 10 minutes remaining many Killie fans had seen enough and headed for the exits, a decision they would soon regret.

Our substitutes gave the team a fresh momentum and the late three-goal salvo will stay long in the memory of all those who witnessed it.

It is still very early days in the campaign yet there is a general belief that the three points gained could prove to be the catalyst for a climb up the table following a slow start.

Special mention must be given to Gary Mackay-Steven, Bobby Wales, Bruce Anderson and Rory McKenzie who sparked the comeback and staked their claims for a starting place against Rangers a week on Sunday.

It would be fair to say the manager has been more than loyal to a few players and perhaps some of these guys have not been given a fair crack of the whip.

It's a pity we have another international weekend coming up but confidence should be sky high when Rangers come calling to the home of football.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

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Kilmarnock's remarkable late rescue act at Dens Park on Saturday was the first time they have come from two goals down to win a league game away from home since August 1991.

On that occasion 33 years ago they defeated Meadowbank Thistle 3-2 thanks to a Bobby Williamson double and Ally Mitchell goal.

Saturday’s comeback was just the second time this century a team have won an SPFL game after trailing by two goals after 85 minutes – the other was Raith Rovers’ 4-3 triumph at Airdrie in August 2018.

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Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie has earned a late recall to the Scotland squad for the Nations League games with Croatia and Portugal.

McCrorie missed out on selection for last month's opening defeats by Poland and Portugal because of a hip injury.

Having been omitted from Steve Clarke's initial pool for the upcoming doube-header, the 26-year-old has now received a summons following the injury-enforced withdrawal of Angus Gunn.

McCrorie made his first Kilmarnock appearance for almost two months in last weekend's comeback win at Dundee.

Scotland face Croatia away on Saturday before hosting Portugal next Tuesday.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Comebacks don’t come much better than Kilmarnock's at Dundee on Sunday.

At his best, Matty Kennedy has the ability to come up with mercurial magic, as well as plenty of work-rate and team endeavour. Killie's match winner makes my Team of the Week.

Watch highlights as Kilmarnock win 3-2 against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

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An ‘honest meeting’ in the wake of Kilmarnock’s disappointing home draw against Dundee United last weekend was a catalyst for their dramatic win away to Dundee on Saturday, revealed Derek McInnes.

Killie were 3-1 and cruising last weekend before conceding two late goals, but kick-started their season with their first league win with two late strikes of their own at Dens Park.

The Killie manager said: “We had an honest meeting on the Monday after the game.

“A draw at home felt like a defeat and it should, particularly in the manner that it happened.

“We said the only way we will start to feel better is by winning at Dens. It just shows you the contrast to how we felt.

“We shipped two points last week when our second-half performance deserved so much more against Dundee United.

“It was such a Kilmarnock performance in the second half, we were brilliant – stats back that up, all the rest of it. But today we went right through the wire.

“We will all feel a bit better about ourselves and hopefully we can move on now.”

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Matty Kennedy says he put a smile on manager Derek McInnes' face by netting a late double in Kilmarnock's incredible three-goal comeback at 10-man Dundee.

With the Rugby Park side two down at Dens Park, McInnes' men scored three times in a remarkable eight-minute finale to snatch their first league win of the season.

After a tough start to the campaign, winger Kennedy says luck is finally starting to turn in the Ayrshire club's favour.

Speaking to BBC Scotland post-match, he added: "The gaffer has been on me to get in the box and score more goals this season, I've probably put a smile on his face this time.

"That's part of football getting the last-minute goal, you saw the fans enjoying themselves and the boys are ecstatic as well. The changing rooms is bouncing.

"We've played well this season, a wee bit of luck hasn't gone our way but it seems to have gone our way now. We've dug deep over the last few weeks, so we deserve that.

"People have heard how close the changing room is, we stick together. We've played well this season but results haven't gone our way. We'll be picking points up and we'll push up the table.

"We're a tight group of boys. To just get over the finish line and get your first your first win going into the international break, it's a really good feeling."

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 3-2 win against Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

Frank: It's been swings and roundabouts this past couple of weeks. Last week we dropped two points and this week we were a bit fortunate to get the three points, in saying that, the game-changer was the substitutes. Think one or two who were substituted should have a rest and make way for the much-needed changes in the team.

Anna: Have to admit I gave up at 81 minutes and 2-0 down, but what an amazing comeback by the boys. I still say a back three doesn't work but in the end we got the result. Good to see Derek McInnes not leaving changes until the last minute and that helped. Now let's see if we can do a number on Rangers. It's definitely a case of onwards and keep progressing.

Robert: Red card deserved, it was a dreadful challenge. Great result but a performance bereft of ideas. Gary Mackay-Steven needs a run as much as Danny Armstrong needs a rest. Bruce Anderson or Bobby Wales should start ahead of Kyle Vassell, who also needs a rest. We should be at least two points better off than we are.

Anon: I know a lot of people will say McInnes didn't have the first-half tactics right, but we got three points so who cares? Choose to be happy! You saw Killie win three points and score three goals and Derek is a big part of that. Can things be better? Always! But if you don't take happiness in the positives, you're going to be miserable.

Scott: Fantastic win. I love how we never give up. Hopefully this is the start on our way up the table.

Gio: Have to say the plaudits given to the match-winners are well deserved, but just a wee word of praise for Rory McKenzie. I thought he had a great spell when he came on. I will leave the outpouring of obvious changes our gaffer needs to make to other people.

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• Tony Docherty's side have lost five points from winning positions in the league this season, only Dundee United (six) and St Mirren (seven) have lost more.

• Kilmarnock have won after trailing at half-time away from home in the Premiership for the first time since 20 October 2018 against St Mirren (38 games without a win after trailing at half-time).

• Killie have won after conceding the opening goal in the league for the first time since 16 March 2024 against St Mirren (eight games without a win).

• Derek McInnes' side have won six points from losing positions in the top flight this season, more than any other team.

• Kilmarnock have defeated Dundee for the first time in the Premiership since 15 December 2018, a run of five games without a win.

Matty Kennedy's 94th-minute strike completed Kilmarnock's incredible turnaround at Dens Park after they trailed 10-man Dundee by two goals with 10 minutes to go.

The late goal also gave Kilmarnock their first win of the season after a run of seven games without a victory.

What did you make of that, Kilmarnock fans? A deserved victory in the end?

And how does it feel to get that first win of the season at long last?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "We expected a tough game coming here, we saw the importance for both teams to get the win. The turning point was the red card to big Mo Sylla. He's not a dirty player, he's physical.

"We spoke at half-time about showing patience but having the urgency to move the ball quick. It was a catch-22.

"When you play against 10 men, it's not always going to be easy, they'll get one or two moments. I thought I had my answers on the bench and my bench were terrifically.

"We did it the hard way. The second [Dundee] goal came out of nothing. We had a lot to do at that point with so few minutes left. But boy, we did it.

"It was a brilliant turnaround. Matty Kennedy carried the fight for us, always producing shots and crosses. Rory McKenzie and Brad Lyons ran the game and kept us going. Gary Mackay-Steven, Bruce Anderson and Bobby Wales were terrific.

"It's something I'm maybe guilty of - not making my forward changes quicker - and I accept that. We got the benefit of it today. When we put the ball in the box, it looked like something would happen."

"On the second-half, it's no more than my players deserve. We're having to do so much to win a game. I'm delighted to win the game but there's things we need to be better at.

"It wasn't perfect, but it was a perfect ending."