Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has addressed the club's difficult start to the Premiership season, urging patience as new players settle in while maintaining belief in his approach. Speaking after a 4-0 defeat to Dundee United, McCann outlined the challenges facing his squad as they prepare to welcome St Mirren to Rugby Park still searching for their first league points.
As of 02 September 2026, Kilmarnock sit 12th in the Premiership with 0 points from three games, having lost all three matches with a goal difference of -9 after scoring four and conceding thirteen. They are already nine points behind leaders Celtic, a gap McCann knows his team must start closing quickly. The next fixture on the fixtures page is a home match against Rangers on 26 December, but the immediate focus is on finding a positive result this week.
Why is Kilmarnock struggling for consistency?
Neil McCann pointed directly to the challenge of establishing a settled defensive unit as a key factor in the early struggles. Defender Robbie Deas was forced off during the first half of a recent match, disrupting the backline further. "It’s a fair point. Robbie {Deas} played the cup games, but we were integrating a lot of new players into the cup games and it’s just about navigating through that and getting guys game time, as well as treating it properly because it’s the season starting," McCann told the Killie Chronicle.
He stressed the need for an element of patience with new arrivals like Cathal McCarthy and Jonathan Meier, who are still adjusting to life at Rugby Park. The manager acknowledged the frustration of supporters but believes teams are now showing Kilmarnock more respect based on their performances last season, which has changed the dynamic of matches.
What gives Neil McCann belief things will change?
The manager retains full faith in the playing style and structure that brought success in the previous campaign. He is not focused on short-term results alone but on building a sustainable project, a perspective shaped by his experience of losing his job at Dundee after a year in charge. McCann referenced a memorable 3-0 victory against Aberdeen last January as evidence of what the team is capable of achieving.
He believes firmly that one victory can trigger a significant shift in momentum and change the entire feeling around the squad. "I’m glad you saw that - for one so young, he showed a lot of leadership qualities." McCann said, praising young Cole Burke after he received minutes and impressed. The manager is excited about the upcoming match on Wednesday and wants to see his team bounce back with a win and the fans celebrating.
How are Kilmarnock's younger players developing?
While the first team seeks results, the club continues to develop talent for the future. Young players Cole Coughlin and Ruari Ellis are currently gaining valuable experience out on loan at Queen of the South. Another prospect, Logan Foster, is training with the senior squad at Rugby Park, learning from the daily environment.
McCann stated that he cannot control social media usage by his players, emphasizing that they can only control their own performances and reactions on the pitch. He described himself as passionate about his job and Kilmarnock, and he will not abandon a philosophy that has proven successful because of an early-season setback. The immediate task is to perform and get the league campaign well and truly up and running, starting with the next match. You can view the full standings to see how the table looks ahead of that crucial fixture.
