Neil McCann, the manager of Kilmarnock, insists that stagnation is equivalent to regression and that continual progress is essential for the club's ambitions. After taking charge in January when the team sat in 11th place and had suffered more defeats than victories, McCann steered the side to a late‑season surge that saw them escape the relegation play‑offs and finish on a positive note. He told Sky Sports News that the atmosphere around the club is now upbeat, largely because of the way the campaign concluded, but he warned that past successes cannot be taken for granted. "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," McCann said.

"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. 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 the position we were in last January when I took over. We want to be really positive." Looking ahead, Kilmarnock travel to McDiarmid Park for their opening Premiership fixture against newly promoted St Johnstone, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

While some observers might assume that the newly promoted side will provide an easier start, McCann cautioned against underestimating them. He praised St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari for implementing a disciplined style of play and reminded his own players that Kilmarnock are still finding their rhythm. "Everybody maybe thinks it might be an easier start because it's St Johnstone and they have just come up from the Championship," McCann explained.

"But I think Simo [Valakari] has a real solid way of playing. 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." A significant development off the pitch this season is the replacement of Rugby Park's artificial surface with natural grass. The decision follows a league‑wide vote to prohibit synthetic pitches from the 2026/27 season, with Falkirk receiving a brief extension before they must also switch.

McCann highlighted the advantages of the new layout, noting that the grass was laid directly over the former astroturf, creating an exceptionally even playing field. "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," he said. "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 reflected on the previous year's home record, where Kilmarnock won six of eight matches on the artificial surface, turning Rugby Park into something of a fortress. The transition to grass, he believes, will only enhance that advantage.

"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.

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 added. Beyond the technical aspects of the surface, McCann sees the new pitch as a catalyst for a more expansive, possession‑based style that the club wishes to adopt. A high‑quality grass field allows for quicker ball movement, more predictable bounces, and a greater emphasis on tactical nuance—all elements that align with his vision for a side capable of challenging for a top‑six finish rather than merely fighting for survival.

To achieve that ambition, McCann outlined a multi‑pronged approach. First, he intends to reinforce the squad during the upcoming transfer window, targeting players who can add creativity in midfield and solidity at the back.

Second, he emphasized the importance of fitness and conditioning, ensuring that the team can maintain intensity throughout the 38‑game season. Finally, he stressed the need for a cohesive club culture, where every member—from the coaching staff to the groundsmen—shares a common goal of progression. "It's not just about buying talent," he noted. "It's about building a unit that trusts each other, that believes in a shared philosophy, and that can adapt to the challenges of a long campaign.

The staff, the players, the fans—all of us need to be on the same page." The manager also addressed the psychological component of the game. After a season that flirted with relegation, confidence can be fragile. McCann believes that the positive momentum generated by the late‑season wins and the fresh grass pitch can serve as a mental boost, helping players approach each match with belief rather than fear.

"When you step onto a surface that looks and feels like a top‑class arena, it changes your mindset," he said. "You feel proud, you feel motivated, and you want to repay that investment with performances that match the quality of the ground." In summary, McCann's message to Kilmarnock supporters is clear: the club is moving forward, and standing still is not an option.

With a revitalised home venue, a determined coaching staff, and a squad eager to improve, the team aims to transform last season's survival narrative into a campaign that sees them compete for European places. The upcoming clash with St Johnstone will be an early test of that resolve, but McCann remains confident that the foundations being laid now will bear fruit as the season unfolds.