Neil McCann, the manager of Kilmarnock, has made it clear that standing still is equivalent to moving backwards, and his primary objective is to keep the club on an upward trajectory rather than merely surviving in the Scottish Premiership. When he took over the Rugby Park side in January, they were languishing in 11th place, having dropped points in more than half of their league fixtures.
A late‑season surge of victories, however, lifted them out of the relegation play‑off zone and gave the team a platform to build upon. In a recent interview with Sky Sports News, McCann emphasized the importance of harnessing the optimism that has begun to permeate the club.
“The feeling is that there’s a lot of positivity around the club in terms of their thoughts for the season, in particular because of how well we finished,” he said. He was quick to point out that past achievements are just that—past. “But that’s in the past and it’s up to myself, Billy [Dodds] and the rest of the staff to really build a squad that can carry that on,” McCann added. The manager’s mantra is simple: forward motion is essential.
“If you are standing still, you’re effectively going backwards. So we need to definitely try and move ourselves forward,” he explained. The goal, therefore, is to avoid a repeat of the precarious position the club found itself in when he arrived, and instead to foster a genuinely positive atmosphere that can translate into consistent results.
Kilmarnock’s first league match of the new campaign will be at McDiarmid Park against newly‑promoted St Johnstone, a fixture that McCann expects to be a stern test despite the perception that a promoted side might be an easier opponent. “Everybody maybe thinks it might be an easier start because it’s St Johnstone and they have just come up from the Championship,” he noted.
“But I think Simo [Valakari] has a real solid way of playing.” McCann acknowledges that his own side is not yet operating at full capacity. “Like every manager, we’re probably not quite at full tilt yet. Not at the top gears and we’ll continue to strive to get there.” Nonetheless, he believes the positivity generated last season provides a solid foundation for future progress. One of the most tangible changes for Kilmarnock this season is the return to a natural grass surface at Rugby Park.
The club has removed the artificial turf that had been in place since 2014, aligning with a new Scottish Premiership directive that will ban synthetic pitches from the 2026/27 season. While Falkirk has been granted an extra year to make the switch, Kilmarnock has taken the initiative early.
McCann praised the new surface, describing it as “completely flat” because it was laid directly over the previous astroturf base. He explained that only a few weeks ago the pitch was essentially a “sandpit,” but the groundsmen have been working to thicken and stabilise the soil.
Within a short period, McCann expects the grass to become “a surface that will rival any in the country.” The manager reflected on the defensive strength the team displayed on the artificial surface last year, winning six of eight home games and turning Rugby Park into something of a fortress. He believes the new grass pitch will enhance that advantage even further.
“If I’m honest, I think every top league should have the grass pitches. This will be one of the finest in the country and hopefully that can benefit how we want to play,” McCann asserted. The transition to grass is not merely aesthetic; it aligns with the club’s playing philosophy, which emphasizes fluid, attacking football that can be better expressed on a natural surface.
Beyond the pitch, McCann’s broader strategy involves strengthening the squad through astute recruitment and development. He highlighted the collaborative effort with his assistant, Billy Dodds, and the coaching staff to identify players who can contribute to a more dynamic, forward‑looking style of play. The emphasis is on adding depth, experience, and versatility, ensuring that the team can cope with the rigours of a full Premiership season while still pushing for a top‑six finish.
In terms of tactics, McCann has spoken about wanting to move away from a reactive approach that often characterised the latter half of the previous season. He aims to implement a proactive, possession‑based system that can dominate games and create scoring opportunities.
The upgraded grass pitch is expected to facilitate quicker ball movement and more precise passing, attributes that are essential for the style he envisions. The manager also touched on the mental aspect of the game.
He believes that the confidence gained from the late‑season resurgence should be cultivated into a winning mentality that persists throughout the campaign. “We don’t want to be in a position we were in last January when I took over. We want to be really positive,” he reiterated. This positivity, he says, must be reinforced through consistent performances, both at home and away, and through a collective belief that the club is on an upward trajectory.
Fans can look forward to watching Kilmarnock’s progress live on Sky Sports, as the Scottish Premiership continues to be broadcast across the network. The combination of a refreshed playing surface, a clear managerial vision, and a squad eager to prove themselves sets the stage for an intriguing season.
While the opening match against St Johnstone may present challenges, McCann’s confidence in his team’s preparation and his commitment to continuous improvement suggest that Kilmarnock is poised to make a genuine push for higher league positions. In summary, Neil McCann’s message to supporters and players alike is unequivocal: stagnation is not an option. By embracing a forward‑moving mindset, investing in a top‑quality grass pitch, and fostering a culture of positivity and ambition, Kilmarnock aims to transform last season’s survival narrative into a story of sustained progress and, ultimately, success in the Scottish Premiership.