Kilmarnock prepares for Celtic match on new hybrid pitch
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 8, 2026, 7:45 AM
Last updated Aug 8, 2026
Kilmarnock's Greg Kiltie expressed optimism about the team's new grass-hybrid pitch, debuting this Sunday against Celtic. The previous artificial surface has been replaced, and Kiltie aims to dispel the notion that the old pitch provided an undue advantage. He emphasized the need to improve following last week's disappointing 4-3 loss to St Johnstone, underscoring the importance of intensity. Kilmarnock faced challenges against Celtic last season, losing in late dramatics during both encounters.
- •Kilmarnock's new pitch debuts against Celtic on August 7.
- •Greg Kiltie highlighted the need to improve after last week's loss.
- •Kilmarnock struggled against Celtic last season, losing late.
- •Kiltie aims to change the narrative around home pitch advantage.
- 7:45 AMYahoo Sports — McCann excited about Kilmarnock's new pitch
- 1:40 PMYahoo Sports — Kiltie hopes new pitch will banish narrative
"Kilmarnock may be yet to train on their new grass-hybrid pitch, but it's fair to say manager Neil McCann is excited about the "sensational" surface. "I just feel that Rugby Park was always known as having a brilliant surface," said McCann. Killie opened their Scottish Premiership season with a 4-3 defeat by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park and welcome champions Celtic on Sunday.
"Kilmarnock's Greg Kiltie hopes the club's new pitch will change the narrative over their home form and the theory that their old artificial surface gave them a huge advantage. The artificial pitch at Rugby Park has been ripped up and replaced with a state of the art grass-hybrid pitch, which gets its first airing this Sunday with the visit of Celtic.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 8, 2026, 7:45 AMMcCann excited about Kilmarnock's new pitch
Kilmarnock may be yet to train on their new grass-hybrid pitch, but it's fair to say manager Neil McCann is excited about the "sensational" surface. "I just feel that Rugby Park was always known as having a brilliant surface," said McCann. Killie opened their Scottish Premiership season with a 4-3 defeat by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park and welcome champions Celtic on Sunday.
- Yahoo SportsAug 7, 2026, 1:40 PMKiltie hopes new pitch will banish narrative
Kilmarnock's Greg Kiltie hopes the club's new pitch will change the narrative over their home form and the theory that their old artificial surface gave them a huge advantage. The artificial pitch at Rugby Park has been ripped up and replaced with a state of the art grass-hybrid pitch, which gets its first airing this Sunday with the visit of Celtic.
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