Neil McCann, the man at the helm of Kilmarnock, is firmly convinced that standing still is tantamount to moving backward. The Scottish Premiership side, under his stewardship, is now setting its sights on a top‑six finish rather than merely fighting to avoid the drop. When McCann took over in January, the club was languishing in 11th place, having dropped points in more than half of their fixtures.
A late‑season surge of victories, however, saw the Ayrshire team escape the relegation play‑offs and finish the campaign on a more hopeful note. Speaking to Sky Sports News, McCann highlighted the shift in atmosphere at Rugby Park. “There’s a great deal of optimism around the club about what we can achieve this season, especially given how well we finished last term,” he said.
“That optimism belongs to the past now; it’s up to me, Billy Dodds and the rest of the coaching staff to assemble a squad capable of carrying that momentum forward.” He reiterated his philosophy on progress, noting, “If you are standing still, you’re effectively going backwards. So we have to make a concerted effort to keep moving forward.” The manager made it clear that Kilmarnock does not want to find itself in the same precarious position it occupied when he arrived.
“We want to stay positive and keep building,” he added. Kilmarnock’s opening fixture of the new season will be against newly promoted St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, a match that McCann expects to be a stern test despite the perception that the opposition might be an easy opponent. “Many people assume it will be a softer start because St Johnstone have just come up from the Championship,” McCann explained.
“But Simo Valakari has instilled a very solid playing style, and we can’t underestimate them.” He also admitted that his side is still finding its rhythm. “Like any manager, I know we’re not yet at full tilt, not yet in top gear, and we will continue to work hard to get there,” he said.
“The positivity we generated last season gives us a good platform to build on.” One of the most significant changes for Kilmarnock this year is the replacement of the artificial surface at Rugby Park with a natural grass pitch – the first time the club has played on grass since 2014. The decision follows a vote by the Scottish Professional Football League to ban synthetic pitches from the start of the 2026‑27 season, with Falkirk receiving a one‑year grace period to make a similar switch.
McCann praised the new surface, noting that it was installed directly over the old astroturf, resulting in an exceptionally even playing field. “The beauty of our pitch this season is that it’s laid on top of what was the artificial turf last year, so it’s completely flat,” he said. “Just a few weeks ago it was essentially a sandpit.
The groundsmen have told me that in the next week or so it will firm up and become a surface that can rival any in the country.” He reflected on the defensive strength the previous artificial surface gave the team, recalling how Kilmarnock turned Rugby Park into something of a fortress, winning six of eight home games last season. “That gave us a huge advantage, but I think the new grass pitch will enhance our style of play even more,” McCann observed. “If I’m honest, every top‑flight league should be playing on grass.” The manager believes the new pitch will not only improve the aesthetic of the game but also complement the club’s tactical ambitions.
“This will be one of the finest grass surfaces in the country, and I hope it will help us execute the brand of football we want to play,” he concluded. Looking ahead, McCann’s priorities are clear: continue to develop the squad, maintain the positive momentum generated by the late‑season rally, and ensure that the team does not regress to the struggles of early 2024. By focusing on incremental improvement and leveraging the upgraded playing surface, Kilmarnock hopes to climb the table and secure a place among the league’s elite, rather than merely surviving each week. The upcoming season promises to be a test of both tactical acumen and squad depth, with McCann emphasizing the need for consistency and resilience.
“We want to avoid the complacency that can come after a good run,” he warned. “Every match is an opportunity to prove that we belong at the higher end of the table.” As the club prepares for its opening encounter against St Johnstone, fans can expect a side eager to demonstrate that they are moving forward, not standing still.