Neil McCann, the man at the helm of Kilmarnock, is adamant that the club must keep moving forward rather than linger in the past. He frequently reminds his players and staff that staying still is essentially a step backward, a philosophy that underpins his ambition to push the team into the top half of the Scottish Premiership rather than merely fighting off relegation.
When McCann 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 helped them steer clear of the relegation playoffs, providing a glimmer of optimism that the manager hopes to transform into sustained success. Speaking to Sky Sports News, McCann highlighted the shift in atmosphere at the club. "There is a great deal of positivity around the club regarding the outlook for this season, especially because of how well we finished," he said.
He was quick to stress that the optimism must be backed by concrete action. "It’s now up to me, Billy Dodds and the rest of the backroom staff to build a squad capable of carrying that momentum forward.
If you stand still, you are effectively moving backwards, so we must actively push ourselves ahead. We do not want to find ourselves in the same position we were in last January when I arrived. We want to be truly positive and progressive." Kilmarnock’s first league match of the campaign will be at McDiarmid Park against newly promoted St Johnstone, a game that will be televised live on Sky Sports.
While some observers might assume that facing a freshly promoted side offers a relatively easy start, McCann warned against underestimating their opponents. He praised St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari for having a "solid way of playing" and suggested that the match will present a genuine test for his own side.
"Every manager knows we’re not yet at full tilt, not yet in top gear, and we will continue to strive to get there," McCann explained. "The positivity we generated last season is a solid foundation, but we have to build on it with hard work and consistency." Off the pitch, Kilmarnock have made a significant change to their playing surface. After a vote by top‑flight clubs to ban artificial pitches from the 2026/27 season, the club removed the synthetic turf that had been installed at Rugby Park and reinstated a natural grass field for the first time since 2014. McCann expressed enthusiasm about the new surface, noting that it was laid directly over the former astroturf, resulting in a perfectly level pitch.
"Four weeks ago it was just a sandpit. The groundsmen tell me that within a week or two it will firm up and become a surface that can rival any in the country," he said. He recalled the previous season’s home form, when Kilmarnock won six of eight matches on the artificial surface, turning the stadium into something of a fortress. "I think the grass pitch will help us maintain that advantage," he added.
McCann believes that a high‑quality grass surface is essential for top‑level football. "If I’m honest, every top league should have grass pitches.
This will be one of the finest in the country and hopefully that can benefit how we want to play," he asserted. The manager’s comments underscore his broader vision: a club that not only climbs the league table but does so with a playing style suited to a superior surface. He envisions a team that can blend defensive solidity with attacking flair, using the grass to facilitate smoother ball movement and more predictable bounces, which are critical for a possession‑based approach.
Looking ahead, McCann’s priorities are clear. He wants to reinforce the squad during the transfer window, targeting players who can adapt quickly to the new pitch and who share the club’s ambition to challenge for a higher league finish. He also emphasized the importance of continuity within the coaching staff, noting that Billy Dodds and the rest of the team will remain integral to implementing his tactical ideas.
"We need to keep improving every week, both on and off the field," McCann said. "That means smarter recruitment, better training facilities, and a clear game plan that everyone understands." The manager also touched on the psychological aspect of the club’s progress. He believes that the belief cultivated during the end‑of‑season run last year should now be embedded in the players’ mindset. "When you win a string of games, it creates a belief that you can compete with anyone," he remarked.
"That belief must become a habit, not a fleeting feeling." In summary, Neil McCann is determined to convert Kilmarnock’s late‑season resurgence into a sustained upward trajectory. By focusing on squad development, embracing the return to grass, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he aims to steer the club away from the spectre of relegation and toward a respectable position in the Premiership’s upper echelons. The upcoming fixtures, especially the opening clash with St Johnstone, will serve as an early barometer of how well the team has internalised his message and adapted to the new playing conditions.
With a clear plan and a renewed sense of optimism, Kilmarnock are poised to make the 2024‑25 season a pivotal chapter in their recent history.