Kilmarnock

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Kilmarnock head into the new Scottish Premiership season with optimism growing after a remarkable turnaround under manager Neil McCann.

In the latest BBC Scottish Football Podcast, Charlotte Cohen is joined by Sandy Armour of the Killie Hippo and Callum Scott from the Forever and Ever podcast to discuss how Killie recovered from a difficult start to last season and why supporters are feeling positive again.

The panel reflect on Stewart Kettlewell's departure, McCann's impact, the influence of January signings such as Joe Hugill and Findlay Curtis and a summer rebuild that includes the return of Mark O'Hara.

They also assess the move back to a grass pitch, the club's ambitious training ground project and what success would look like this season.

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Kilmarnock have loaned full-back Ben Brannan to Queen's Park for the 2026-27 season.

Brannan, 19, has made 34 senior appearances, including nine on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle last season.

Killie say the move has "the aim of gaining consistent first-team minutes to aid in his development".

"The club wishes Ben the best of luck for the campaign ahead," the Rugby Park club added on their website.

Scottish Championship side Queen's Park face Brora Rangers in Saturday's opening Premier Sports Cup match.

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Max Stryjek's late penalty save ensured Kilmarnock were 3-2 victors in their pre-season hit-out against Linfield at Windsor Park.

It was their second friendly in Northern Ireland this week, having beaten Glentoran 4-0 on Wednesday.

A youthful XI had Neil McCann's side 2-1 up at half-time, with goals from American teenager Cole Coughlin and former Spurs and Crystal Palace winger Roshaun Mathurin.

Killie put out a more experienced side in the second-half and, despite Linfield briefly restoring parity, Greg Kiltie soon had them back in front.

But they had to rely on Stryjek keeping them in front, with the number one saving a late spot-kick to hang on to the lead.

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Kilmarnock have signed Swedish winger Erik Ring from League One champions Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club.

Ring had joined Lincoln from AIK in his homeland in 2024 but made only eight starts, and 11 appearances off the bench, last season, scoring twice.

Having come through AIK's youth ranks, he went on to make 66 first-team appearances and also had a loan spell at Helsingborgs.

Kilmarnock state on their website: "His development through one of Scandinavia's strongest footballing systems has established him as an exciting attacking player capable of making an immediate impact in the Scottish Premiership."

He becomes the sixth summer addition to Neil McCann's squad at Rugby Park.

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Tyreece John-Jules marked his return from injury with a goal as Kilmarnock got their pre-season off to a flyer with a convincing 4-0 win over Glentoran in Belfast.

The striker had been handed a one-year contract extension after suffering a quad injury in February that ruled him out for the rest of the last campaign.

He came on as a half-time substitute at The Oval and scored after 65 minutes to make it 3-0 for the Scottish Premiership visitors.

Fellow forward Joe Hugill had marked his new contract extension by opening the scoring after only 10 minutes against hosts who were runners-up in the NIFL Premiership last season.

Ieuan Owen, the 20-year-old forward bought from Barry Town this summer, completed the scoring with seven minutes remaining.

Mark O'Hara, the midfielder who has returned from Kilmarnock from St Mirren, started the game, while Calum Ferrie, the goalkeeper signed from Queen's Park, and former Trencin forward Roshaun Mathurin came on for the second half along with John-Jules and Owen.

However, midfielder Bailey Rice was not involved after arriving on loan from Rangers.

Neil McCann's side next face Linfield, who finished fourth in the NIFL Premiership, at Windsor Park on Saturday.

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Kilmarnock have handed striker Joe Hugill a year's extension to his contract after "a sensational display of form in the final months" of last season.

The 22-year-old initially joined in January on an 18-month contract after leaving Manchester United but has now signed a new deal until summer 2028.

Kilmarnock point out that, despite "biding his time to become a key figure in Neil McCann's side", Hugill finished as the club's joint top goalscorer with Tyreece John-Jules after finding the net eight times in 15 appearances along with two assists.

"He quickly became a fans' favourite," they state on their website. "This form saw admiring glances cast in his direction early into his time at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park."

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St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara has departed the club and re-joined fellow Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock on a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old was out of contract after four years in Paisley. O'Hara scored 25 goals in his 142 St Mirren appearances, helped the club to three top-six finishes, European football and last season's League Cup win.

The midfielder began his career with Killie's youth academy and made 87 appearances for the first team before joining Dundee in 2016, where he worked with current Rugby Park boss Neil McCann.

"I'm delighted to be back and it's good to come back at this stage of my career when I'm a different player than when I left," O'Hara told Killie TV.

"This is the club that gave me my chance in football. I'm looking forward to a successful season ahead.

"I needed a fresh challenge. The club's in a good place and having had conversations with the manager, and working for him before, I knew he was somebody I wanted to work for again and that he'll get the best out of me. It's nice to be able to give a bit back to the club that gave me an opportunity."

Head coach McCann added: "He's an important signing for the team.

"As St Mirren's captain, he brings leadership skills. We lost Brad [Lyons], who had been a big presence around here, so it's important that we brought in another leader within the group.

"Mark I know well from my time at Dundee and he was absolutely brilliant for me. It was a long time ago but he's still got a lot to offer. He's a homegrown player with a massive connection to the club, which I'm sure the fans will appreciate and enjoy him being back."

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Kilmarnock have signed Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old has made 16 first-team appearances for the Ibrox club, one of which came last season in the League Cup.

The midfielder also worked under head coach Neil McCann and assistant Billy Dodds when the pair were part of Barry Ferguson's temporary Rangers coaching staff last year.

Rangers team-mate Findlay Curtis spent last season on loan with McCann's side, scored five goals in 14 appearances for the Ayrshire club and earned his first senior cap for Scotland and a place in the World Cup squad.

"It's a big club and we've got a good team," Rice told Killie TV.

"I obviously know the gaffer and Doddsy well, so I've got a good relationship with them. I'm looking forward to it.

"I've been close with the manager here throughout my career for different reasons. He's honest, he doesn't hold anything back and that's what I like.

"I've got good vision when on the ball. I'm hoping I can take that on to the pitch and take games by the scruff of the neck."

McCann added: "He's someone I've known for a long time, even in his younger days.

"When we spent time at Rangers, we played him against Athletic Bilbao and he came on against Dundee as well. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to continue that progress under the new management team.

"He's somebody that I've always kept an eye on and he's got so much to offer us. The challenge for Bailey now is to get into our team. That's a challenge I think he's going to embrace."

Midfielder Mark O'Hara, 30 has rejected a one-year contract at St Mirren and agreed a two-year switch to former club Kilmarnock. (Daily Record), external

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Kilmarnock have signed Roshaun Mathurin from AS Trencin in the Slovak Super Liga, with the 22-year-old winger saying manager Neil McCann is the "number one reason" for his switch.

The former Tottenham, Chelsea and Crystal Palace youth player has signed a two-year contract at Rugby Park.

Mathurin, who also played for Hartlepool on loan from Palace, made 15 appearances for Trencin after joining them in October.

"Towards the end of the season my agent told me there was interest from Kilmarnock and so I spoke to the gaffer," he told KillieTV. "He was the number one reason for joining. I like his style of play and that he used to be a winger himself.

"I'm looking forward to getting into positions to help score and assist for the team. I'm exciting, I like to get at opposition players and to be energetic."

St Mirren have offered captain Mark O'Hara a new contract, but the 30-year-old midfielder is also a target for Kilmarnock and has interest from clubs in Asia and Eastern Europe. (Kyle Gunn on X), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

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Goalkeeper Calum Ferrie is excited to "push and challenge myself" at Kilmarnock after joining from Queen's Park for an undisclosed fee.

The Englishman, 28, spent five years at the Spiders, making 199 appearances.

Queen's Park say Ferrie, who had a year left on his contract, expressed a "desire to explore any opportunities to play at a higher level".

Ferrie reunites with his former Dundee boss Neil McCann on a two-year deal at Rugby Park.

"I've worked really hard to get an opportunity like this," he told Killie TV.

"I'm really excited to get going and to be at a Premiership club. I want to push and challenge myself, and it's perfect timing.

"I've always known the size and stature of Killie in Scottish football. Being around the club, and speaking to others, I can tell it's full of good people."

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Kilmarnock will play their two home games in the Premier Sports Cup group stage at Auchinleck Talbot's Beechwood Park as they install a new hybrid grass pitch at Rugby Park.

The Premiership side's fixtures against Raith Rovers on Tuesday, July 14 and Hamilton a week later will take place at the 4,000-capacity home ground of Lowland League West club Talbot.

"Our thanks go to Auchinleck Talbot for accommodating this request," said Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnock have agreed a transfer deal to sign 27-year-old goalkeeper Calum Ferrie from Queen's Park. (Daily Record), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

Kilmarnock are eyeing a loan move for Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, with the 19-year-old having agreed terms on an extension to his Ibrox contract. (Rangers Review), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Greg Kiltie has agreed a one-year extension to his Kilmarnock contract, which now runs until summer 2028, after what the club describe as a "terrific" season.

The 29-year-old midfielder rejoined his boyhood club last summer from St Mirren, initially signing a two-year deal.

Kiltie made 39 appearances, scoring four goals and contributing seven assists in his first season back at Rugby Park.

"He particularly shone brightly when his position was tweaked by Neil McCann when he and Billy Dodds were installed as the management team back in January," said Kilmarnock.

The former Rangers duo steered Kilmarnock clear of relegation trouble and Kiltie added: "The way we finished last season, it means there's a feelgood factor moving into the next campaign and we can go into it with optimism.

"We'll be looking to do better than last season. We'll try to kick on and I'm really excited about what's to come."

Across his two spells at Rugby Park, Kiltie has scored 24 goals and provided 23 assists in 173 appearances.

Kilmarnock and St Mirren are keen on a loan deal for Rangers midfielder Calum Adamson after the 18-year-old impressed at Alloa Athletic last season. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

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The World Cup kicks off in a week's time and all 48 squads are locked in.

Seven Scottish top-flight clubs have players at the big show in the Americas.

Of the 1,248 players at the tournament, 21 (1.68%) plied their trade in the Premiership in season 2025-26.

Celtic have the biggest representation with eight players, while Rangers are next on seven (including Derek Cornelius, who spent the season on loan from Marseille).

Here is the full list:

Celtic – Alistair Johnston (Canada), Daizen Maeda (Japan), Benjamin Nygren (Sweden), Yang Hyun-jun (South Korea), Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston (both Scotland), Sebastian Tounekti (Tunisia), Auston Trusty (USA).

Rangers – Nicolas Raskin (Belgium), Thelo Aasgaard (Norway), Findlay Curtis, Lawrence Shankland, John Souttar, Liam Kelly (all Scotland), Derek Cornelius (Canada).

Hearts– Cammy Devlin (Australia), Craig Gordon (Scotland).

Hibs – Grant Hanley (Scotland).

Motherwell – Elijah Just (New Zealand).

Kilmarnock – Aaron Tshibola (DR Congo).

Livingston – Tete Yengi (Australia).

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Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann revealed "exciting young talent" Ieuan Owen had already spent time with the squad during the season before becoming the club's first summer arrival.

The Welsh striker, 20, has joined on a two-year contract from Barry Town United.

"We've done our homework on Ieuan and he fits into how we want to attack," said McCann.

"He's exactly the type of player that we're trying to recruit, and hopefully he can help us carry on into next season what was a very strong end to the previous campaign.

"He adds firepower, speed and goal threat to the boys we already have in the squad. It gives us a really strong complement of different types of attackers that will allow us to have some variety in that area.

"I'm so looking forward to working with him. We had a little flavour of him during the last week of the season when he came up for a look about.

"This gave him an indication of how we work, as well as the standard and tempo of how we want to play. That whetted his appetite but also ours."

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Striker Ieuan Owen says it is a "dream come true" to join Kilmarnock from top-flight Welsh side Barry Town United.

Kilmarnock have paid an undisclosed fee for the 20-year-old, who has signed a two-year deal with the Scottish Premiership club.

Owen, who scored 19 goals in 42 games last season, was voted young player of the year in the Cymru Premier and his signing is hailed as a "real coup" by Kilmarnock.

The Welshman ends a two-year spell with Barry Town to become the Rugby Park club's first summer arrival.

Owen, who officially joins on 15 June when the transfer window opens, told Killie TV: "I'm over the moon to be here. I'm looking forward to being here at such a big, historic club, and I can't wait to get going.

"The stadium is a lot bigger than what I'm used to. I'm looking forward to playing in front of the fans and meeting the boys.

"It's the biggest achievement that I've had so far in my career. My parents and family are excited to come up to see me playing. It's a dream come true.

"I'm full of energy, I like high pressing and high tempo. I'm skilful in one-vs-ones."

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Brad Lyons and Lewis Mayo are "massive losses" for Kilmarnock but their departure will allow manager Neil McCann to put his mark on the squad, says former goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

Defender Mayo and captain Lyons have both joined Aberdeen, while midfielder David Watson is leaving to join English Championship newcomers Bolton.

"They are going to be massive losses, especially Lyons," said Bell on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's been a top player, top performer for Kilmarnock for such a long time, captain there as well.

"Mayo has been brilliant since he's came in, a real steady head at the back of the pitch for Kilmarnock.

"They're going to be big losses, but this is an opportunity for McCann to put his own stamp on the team.

"It will free up a number of wages with Watson going as well.

"It'll allow Neil to bring in players of his style, the way he wants to approach next season, because certainly they won't want to be in any sort of relegation trouble like they were this season.

"Around the club there was a lot of nerves towards the end of the season which disrupts plans for the following season.

"Neil will be working hard to recruit the players and the type he wants to bring into the team."