Kilmarnock manager McCann seeks momentum ahead of quarter-final match
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 3:33 PM
Last updated Sep 11, 2026
Kilmarnock manager McCann is looking to use an upcoming quarter-final match as a turning point for his team's season. The club has struggled early in the 2026-27 Premiership campaign, currently holding one of the two worst records in the league alongside Falkirk. Kilmarnock recently played to a goalless draw at Pittodrie against Aberdeen, failing to score for the fifth time in ten matches across all competitions. While the team has faced defensive issues, they did record a 3-2 victory against Ayr United in the previous round of the competition. McCann indicated that reaching the semi-final stage for the first time since 2012 would provide a significant boost to the squad. The team recently transitioned from an artificial playing surface to grass at Rugby Park as part of broader changes during the summer window.
- •Kilmarnock holds one of the worst records in the Premiership this season.
- •The team has failed to score in five of its 10 matches this year.
- •Kilmarnock defeated Ayr United 3-2 to reach the current stage of the tournament.
- •The club replaced its artificial pitch with a grass surface during the summer.
- •McCann aims for the team's second semi-final appearance since 2012.
- 3:33 PMYahoo Sports — Are McCann and Killie about to kickstart season?
- 11:29 AMYahoo Sports — Struggling McCann eyes quarter-final 'catalyst'
"Kilmarnock, along with Falkirk, are one of two clubs to have a worse Premiership record than Aberdeen this season. The goalless stalemate McCann's men played out at Pittodrie last time out told the tale of two teams low on confidence, but the Ayrshire side were at least able to prevent their goals-conceded tally of 14 in five league games rising. The way in which Kilmarnock ended last term under McCann had many predicting they would be fighting it out in the top half this campaign - their form from the former Scotland winger's arrival until the end of last season suggested as much.
"Since the turn of the millennium, Kilmarnock have played seven times at Hampden under four different managers. For Neil McCann, though, it is a chance to undo much of the early-season malaise and kickstart his first full season in charge at Rugby Park. When Aberdeen visit on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the League Sports Cup, it is a meeting of two of the top flight's worst-performing sides in the midst of two ponderous starts to the season.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 3:33 PMAre McCann and Killie about to kickstart season?
Since the turn of the millennium, Kilmarnock have played seven times at Hampden under four different managers. For Neil McCann, though, it is a chance to undo much of the early-season malaise and kickstart his first full season in charge at Rugby Park. When Aberdeen visit on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the League Sports Cup, it is a meeting of two of the top flight's worst-performing sides in the midst of two ponderous starts to the season.
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 11:29 AMStruggling McCann eyes quarter-final 'catalyst'
Kilmarnock, along with Falkirk, are one of two clubs to have a worse Premiership record than Aberdeen this season. The goalless stalemate McCann's men played out at Pittodrie last time out told the tale of two teams low on confidence, but the Ayrshire side were at least able to prevent their goals-conceded tally of 14 in five league games rising. The way in which Kilmarnock ended last term under McCann had many predicting they would be fighting it out in the top half this campaign - their form from the former Scotland winger's arrival until the end of last season suggested as much.
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