Neil McCann, the manager of Kilmarnock, is adamant that the club must keep moving forward rather than standing still, a philosophy he summed up with the simple maxim, "If you are standing still, you're effectively going backwards." The emphasis on progress is central to McCann’s vision as he sets his sights on a top‑six finish this season, steering the team away from the spectre of relegation that haunted them not long ago. When McCann took over the reins in January, Kilmarnock were languishing in 11th place in the Scottish Premiership, having dropped points in more than half of their fixtures.
The situation looked bleak, and the threat of a relegation playoff loomed large. However, a late‑season surge of victories turned the tide, allowing the Ayrshire side to escape the drop zone and finish the campaign on a positive note. Reflecting on that turnaround, McCann told Sky Sports News, "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. 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." He continued, "If you are standing still, you're effectively going backwards.
So we need to definitely try and move ourselves forward. We don't want to be in a position we were in last January when I took over. We want to be really positive." This forward‑looking mindset underpins every aspect of his planning, from recruitment to training methods and tactical tweaks. Kilmarnock’s upcoming Premiership opener at McDiarmid Park against newly promoted St Johnstone will serve as an early test of McCann’s preparations.
While some pundits might assume that facing a freshly promoted side offers a relatively easy start, McCann cautions against underestimating his opponents. "Everybody maybe thinks it might be an easier start because it's St Johnstone and they have just come up from the Championship," he said.
"But I think Simo [Valakari] has a real solid way of playing." He added that his own squad is still finding its rhythm: "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. But I just think the positivity of last year is a good thing to build on." The manager’s realistic optimism acknowledges that while the team has momentum, there is still work to be done to reach the upper echelons of the league. One of the most tangible changes for Kilmarnock this season is the return to a natural grass surface at Rugby Park.
After years of playing on an artificial pitch, the club has ripped up the synthetic turf and installed a new grass pitch – the first such surface at the ground since 2014. This move aligns with a broader decision by the Scottish Professional Football League, where top‑flight clubs voted to ban plastic pitches from the 2026/27 season. Falkirk received a brief extension, but the trend is clear: natural grass is set to become the standard across Scotland’s elite clubs.
McCann praised the new playing surface, noting its unique construction: "The beauty about our pitch for this season is it's laid on top of what was the astroturf last year, so it's completely flat. Four weeks ago, five weeks ago, that was just a sandpit. I'm told by the groundsmen that in the next week or so it's going to really thicken up and it'll be a surface that will rival any in the country." He recalled the previous year’s success on the artificial surface, where Kilmarnock won six of eight home games, turning Rugby Park into something of a fortress.
"I know we came in last year and it was really positive winning six out of the eight here at home, it became a bit of a fortress for us. But I think it's going to help us with the grass pitch," he said. The manager is confident that the new grass will enhance the team’s style of play.
"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 explained.
A high‑quality grass surface can facilitate a more fluid, possession‑based approach, allowing Kilmarnock to implement the tactical nuances that McCann envisions. Beyond the pitch, McCann’s broader strategy involves strengthening the squad through targeted signings and developing existing talent. He works closely with assistant manager Billy Dodds and the coaching staff to identify areas that need reinforcement, whether that be defensive solidity, midfield creativity, or striking firepower. The aim is to assemble a balanced unit capable of competing consistently against the league’s traditional powerhouses.
Fitness and conditioning also feature prominently in McCann’s agenda. The pre‑season programme has been designed to build stamina, improve agility, and reduce injury risk, ensuring the squad can sustain a high tempo throughout the demanding Scottish Premiership schedule. McCann believes that a well‑conditioned team is better equipped to exploit the nuances of a grass pitch, where ball movement and player positioning can be more nuanced than on artificial surfaces.
Off the field, the club is working to engage the fanbase and foster a sense of community pride. The positive atmosphere generated by last season’s escape from relegation has been harnessed in marketing campaigns, ticket promotions, and community outreach programs. McCann acknowledges that a strong connection with supporters can provide an extra boost on match days, especially at Rugby Park, where the home crowd’s energy can be a decisive factor. In summary, Neil McCann’s mantra of continual progress drives every decision at Kilmarnock this season.
From the tactical blueprint and squad development to the strategic shift back to a natural grass pitch, the club is committed to moving forward rather than remaining static. The upcoming clash with St Johnstone will be an early indicator of how well the team has adapted to these changes, but McCann remains confident that the foundation laid last year, combined with the new resources and a clear vision, will enable Kilmarnock to aim for a top‑six finish and re‑establish themselves as a competitive force in Scottish football.