Rory McKenzie "can feel the pain" of fellow Kilmarnock fans, especially as the 32-year-old midfielder fears Saturday's Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat by Aberdeen "could be the last chance I get" to play at Hampden Park again.
Having held the Dons to a goalless draw in their previous game in the Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock failed to take advantage of the visitors being reduced to 10 men and exited after a penalty shoot-out.
"I'm a fan, I feel it," McKenzie, who made his debut for the Ayrshire club in 2011, said. "One of the best days I've ever had was going to Hampden. I'm getting on in my career and it could be the last chance I get.
"Believe me, I feel their pain. I know how it feels.
"We won't get a better chance of getting to a semi-final than that. It was on a plate for us, 1-1, man sent off. We just failed to capitalise and didn't play with enough intensity.

#chance #mckenzie #kilmarnock #play

Kilmarnock have conceded 14 goals in five Scottish Premiership games this season; the only sides in the 21st century to concede more at this stage of a top-flight campaign are Motherwell in 2005-06 (15), Gretna in 2007-08 (15), and Dundee United in 2022-23 (18).
Kilmarnock have failed to score in their past three league games, last going longer without a goal in the Scottish Premiership in February 2021 (five in a row).
Hibernian have lost five successive home games in the top flight for the first time since August 2010. The last side to lose six consecutive Scottish Premiership home matches were Dundee from February to May 2019.
Kilmarnock have only won one of their past 17 Scottish Premiership meetings with Hibernian (D6 L10), a 1-0 triumph in November 2022 under Derek McInnes.
Hibernian are unbeaten in 13 Scottish Premiership home games against Kilmarnock since a 1-0 defeat in May 2014.

#premiership #home

After a fourth straight Scottish Premiership game without a goal, Aberdeen fans made their feelings clear at the full-time whistle of Saturday's draw with Kilmarnock.
Head coach Stephen Robinson took the brunt of the boos and jeers, with such ire replicated online and on radio phone-ins.
The Northern Irish manager was similarly unimpressed with his side's showing, calling it "tired" and "lethargic" in his spiky post-match interview.
Five games in. One win in the league. Two goals.
It's far from the start to the season that Aberdeen would have wanted. At a club with such high expectations, there is a gloom that pervades Pittodrie.

#scottish #irish

Aberdeen captain Kevin Nisbet insists there is no "crisis" at Pittodrie after back-to-back Scottish Premiership defeats to Rangers and Celtic.
They head into Saturday's league visit of bottom club Kilmarnock looking to return to winning ways after last weekend's 1-0 home loss to Rangers and a 3-0 midweek reverse at champions Celtic.
The Dons, who will also play Killie in the quarter-finals of the League Cup the following week, have won one of their opening four leagues.
And Nisbet remains optimistic about what the Dons can achieve this term.
"We have got a lot of quality in there," the striker said.

#back

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson says it would be "crazy" to judge his new-look side so early in the Scottish Premiership season.
The Dons have been dealt a tough hand in their opening quartet of league fixtures, a sequence that included games against the top three teams from last term – Celtic, Hearts and Rangers.
After beating Hearts in their opening game, the Dons lost at Dundee before sustaining defeats by both halves of the Old Firm.
Speaking before Saturday's league visit of Kilmarnock, Robinson said: "There are very, very few games been played in the season so far, so to be that judgemental that early on is crazy.
"I will judge the team when we are 15 games in and then what we need and where we go from there.

#hearts #season #opening #league

Dundee United reportedly agree a fee for Vicko Sevelj to join Neftci Baku as St Mirren appear poised to sign a Serbian striker on Sunday and Monaco are linked with Rangers' Djeidi Gassama.
Vicko Sevelj missed Dundee United's win over Kilmarnock on Saturday as the 25-year-old utility man was given permission to travel to the Azerbaijani capital for a medical and contract talks after a fee was agreed for his transfer to Neftci Baku. (The Courier)
Anderlecht have reignited their interest in Will Ferry and are in negotiations with Dundee United for the 25-year-old left-back. (Sacha Tavolieri on X)
Venezuela striker Kevin Kelsy is awaiting a UK visa, medical and work permit before the 22-year-old completes his transfer from Portland Timbers to Rangers. (Ekrem Konur on X)
‌Kevin Kelsy will not be phased by the £9m price tag when the "strong, powerful striker" completes his move to Rangers, according to Portland Timbers coach Liam Ridgewell. (Daily Record)

#dundee #striker #year #baku

Swindon Town have completed the signing of midfielder Jack Thomson from Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock on a two-year deal.
The 26-year-old has moved to the County Ground for an undisclosed fee and becomes manager Ian Holloway's ninth signing of the summer transfer window.
Thomson began his career at Rangers and had loan spells at Clyde and in the USA with Orange County before making more than 130 appearances for Queen's Park. He makes the move to the League Two side after one season at Kilmarnock.
"I spoke to the manager, I spoke to some of the boys that have played in England before, and everyone had some really good things to say, so I just thought it would be the right move for me in my career," he told the club website.
Swindon have taken four points from their opening two league fixtures and travel to Oldham Athletic on Saturday.

#league #signing

Scotland cap Calvin Ramsay is eager to "rebuild myself" at St Mirren after joining on a season-long loan from Liverpool.
The 23-year-old right-back moved to Liverpool from Aberdeen for £4.1m four years ago but has played just four first-team matches for the Anfield side.
Loan spells at Preston, Bolton, Wigan and Kilmarnock have brought a further 26 appearances.
"I know the league and I wanted to come back up here and try and show what I can do and rebuild myself again," said Ramsay.
"I feel like it's a good place to come. I want to try and perform, work as hard as I can and see where that takes me.

#ramsay #loan

Bobby Wales is set to be thrust straight in for a debut in the Dundee derby at Tannadice on Saturday and has "a point to prove" after moving to Dens Park on loan, says Scott Allan.
Former Kilmarnock striker Wales, 21, is back in Scottish football after struggling to make the grade at Swansea City following his move last summer.
With Simon Murray out injured long term, can Wales recapture the form he showed at Killie?
"What you're starting to see with [manager] Steven Pressley is he's getting guys who understand Scotland," said Allan, who played for both Dundee and Unitd.
He added: "Wales has a lot of good aspects about his game. As a young player coming back, you'll have that point to prove you're going to be the talisman for this Dundee side. They're very well organised.

#prove

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic on the ball. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Koppen, who previously worked as Rangers' director of football recruitment, is now West Ham's director of player recruitment and helped identify Engels as a priority target for the London club.
The Hammers have paid Celtic an initial £22million for the Belgian, allowing the Hoops to double the £11m they invested to sign him two years ago.
Despite the significant profit, Engels' departure is a blow for Martin O'Neill ahead of Celtic's Champions League play-off against LASK.
Koppen has now explained why West Ham were so determined to land the 22-year-old, while also highlighting the experience he gained from establishing himself at a "big club" in Celtic.

#Rugby

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Hyunjun Yang of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Goals from Auston Trusty, Camilo Duran, Sebastian Tounekti and Benjamin Nygren secured Celtic's place in the quarter-finals with a comfortable win at Tannadice.
However, there were some notable omissions from O'Neill's matchday squad, with both Yang and Ralston missing.
With Celtic now preparing for Wednesday night's crucial Champions League play-off first leg against LASK, O'Neill provided an update on the pair after the game.
Asked about their absence, the Celtic boss explained via The Herald: "Tony was with us, but you can only pick so many.

#yang

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has named his team for this evening's Premier Sports Cup clash with Dundee United. The Scottish Champions are in the City of Discovery as they look to rectify two defeats in their last two visits to face Jim Goodwin's side.
The manager returns to the dugout after missing the emphatic 5-1 victory against Kilmarnock last weekend.
Vil Sinisalo starts in goals. In front of the Finnish stopper is a back four comprising of Liam Scales at left back, Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers as the central pairing and Colby Donovan at right back.
Callum McGregor skippers the side in the centre of midfield. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain makes his first appearance of the season, starting in the midfield alongside McGregor and Benji Nygren.
In attack, Sebastian Tounekti starts with Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh.

#back #manager #last

Martin O'Neill returns to the dugout today for Celtic's League Cup opener against Dundee United at Tannadice and has made four changes to last weekend's 5-1 SPFL win at Kilmarnock.
In come Liam Scales, Sebastian Tounekti, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Colby Donovan for this evening's game with Arne Engels, Alistair Johnston, Kieran Tierney and Yang all missing from last week's starters.
There are places on the bench for new Bhoys Haissem and Hassan and Mika Baur who joined the Champions during the week.
The full team:
CELTIC: Sinisalo, Donovan, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Scales, McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nygren, Durán, Tounekti, Høgh.

#scales #donovan #last

After an edgy win against Dundee in the opening gameweek, the reigning champions Celtic destroyed Kilmarnock in their own backyard by scripting an emphatic 5-1 victory. But a tricky test awaits them on Saturday evening, with Dundee United set to host Martin O'Neill's men in the second round of the Scottish League Cup.
The Tangerines dominated this fixture last season, defeating Celtic at Tannadice Park on both occasions. However, the Hoops secured a thumping 4-0 win in Glasgow earlier this year, and a dismal defeat against Hearts last weekend exposed their frailty in the defensive third. Heartbreak in the Cup final against St Mirren prevented them from achieving a domestic treble, and the Glasgow giants must stay cautious to avoid another upset on the road.
Celtic have so far relied on Viljami Sinisalo, who replaced injured Kasper Schmeichel and cemented the 'number 1' spot at the back end of the previous campaign. Ross Doohan has not been involved at all since his move from Aberdeen last summer, and the Scottish custodian would once again find himself as the understudy to the Finnish shot-stopper.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 10: Benjamin Nygren of Celtic celebrates after he scores his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
A fresh injury setback would keep Alistair Johnston sidelined, and the gaffer might opt for Colby Donovan ahead of Anthony Ralston on the right. The club have yet to bring in a new left-back to deputise for Kieran Tierney, and the Tartan Army international must retain his starting status in the defensive third. Liam Scales is available for selection after serving a two-game suspension. But the balance and stability offered by Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty should not be compromised to incorporate the Irishman.

#celtic #last #united

Kasper Hogh's impressive first-half hat-trick against Kilmarnock drew comparisons to a litany of Celtic's most prestigious forwards.
BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter, Tom English, said the Denmark striker, who was making just his second appearance for Martin O'Neill's side, represented "the most proven goalscorer Celtic have signed since Chris Sutton".
Current manager O'Neill signed Sutton from Chelsea in what was then the club's record outlay, with Hogh their current biggest fee.
However, the man who partnered Henrik Larsson for years in Glasgow isn't so sure about the comparison.
"Tom does talk a lot of rubbish at times, and that's clearly evident there," Sutton said on the Monday Night Club.

#sutton #english #celtic

Reminding some of the once viral Techno Viking, Kasper Hogh is already earning rave reviews after recording his first goals - and first hat-trick - for Celtic.
Big-money signings come with big expectations and the Scottish champions' record-breaking summer recruit put in a statement performance in Saturday's thumping 5-1 win over Kilmarnock.
The £11m striker had his side ahead in just 64 seconds and, with little more than half an hour played, he had already earned the match ball, a firm back-post header having been followed by a precise low finish before a diving finish completed a rapid-fire treble.
Although Daizen Maeda had managed the feat in cup ties, this was the first hat-trick from a Celtic forward in the league since October 2022, when James Forrest hit three against Hibernian.
Unsurprisingly, it's already drawing comparisons between the new number nine and the heroes of the past.

#celtic #trick #hogh

Celtic delivered a blistering performance at Rugby Park this afternoon (Sunday, August 9), putting five past Kilmarnock and taking all three points with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Neil McCann's side.
New Bhoy Kasper Høgh will rightly take the headlines for his first-half hat-trick, but across the park Celtic performed brilliantly and made it two wins from two following their opening day victory against Dundee.
With Martin O'Neill still recovering following a small procedure at hospital during the week, ***** istant Manager Shaun Maloney took charge of the team this afternoon and, speaking to CelticPlayer after the match, Maloney was keen to heap praise on the players for their performance.
"I'm delighted. Really, really happy." He said. "I thought we were excellent today.
"I'd say the most impressive thing was the mentality. We started the game at full throttle and we never came off it.

#performance #Rugby #sunday

New Celtic striker Kasper Hogh delivered a tonic for the recuperating Martin O'Neill with a first-half hat-trick at Kilmarnock in the absence of his manager.
The Dane got off the mark in a Celtic jersey as the champions beat Killie 5-1 on the new grass pitch at Rugby Park to jump above St Mirren on goal difference at the top of the William Hill Premiership.
Shaun Maloney took charge of Celtic as O'Neill rested following an overnight hospital stay in midweek following what the club called a "small procedure".
The 74-year-old was able to visit his players at the team hotel beforehand and they produced their highest-scoring league performance since beating Aberdeen by the same scoreline in May 2025.
Shaun Maloney was in charge for Celtic's fixture at Kilmarnock (Robert Perry/PA) (PA Wire)

#celtic #o 'neill

After an edgy win against Dundee in the season opener, Celtic, the reigning Premiership champions, showed their supremacy on Sunday afternoon at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock finally changed their turf from plastic to grass after clubs voted in favour of banning artificial turf ahead of the 2026-27 season; however, it proved a catastrophe for the East Ayrshire side, who suffered a 5-1 humiliation. Second-half strikes from Benjamin Nygren and Luke McCowan followed a first-half hat-trick from the club-record signing Kasper Høgh.
Below are the Celtic players rated in their 5-1 win against Kilmarnock.
Viljami Sinisalo: 7.5
Made a couple of smart saves soon after Høgh's opening goal. Could have done little to stop Michael Schjønning-Larsen, who pulled one back and made it 4-1 for Neil McCann's men.
Alistair Johnston: 7.5

#season #turf

Kilmarnock may be yet to train on their new grass-hybrid pitch, but it's fair to say manager Neil McCann is excited about the "sensational" surface.
"I just feel that Rugby Park was always known as having a brilliant surface," said McCann.
"So, hopefully we get a big crowd coming in on the back of the home form last season. I know they'll be disappointed by the last weekend but we look to try and put that right."
Killie opened their Scottish Premiership season with a 4-3 defeat by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park and welcome champions Celtic on Sunday.
And McCann says the new pitch will not change their game tactically at all, although he admits his side will have an advantage over the visiting teams as "it allows you to train on it".

#kilmarnock

As Martin O'Neill's side prepare to head to Ayrshire this Sunday (August 9) for their Scottish Premiership clash against Kilmarnock, we're putting your Hoops knowledge to the test with another pre-match quiz.
The Champions' recent encounters at Rugby Park have never been short on drama, from unforgettable last-minute winners to championship-clinching moments. And now it's time to take the test to see how well you really know our history against Killie.
We've got 10 questions and 90 seconds on the clock waiting for you… how many can you get right?
Check out all our quizzes here.
On the App: Download the Official Celtic FC App for an enhanced matchday experience.

#test #august #scottish #premiership

There are plenty of uncertainties in the new campaign, but one thing certain is this will be Falkirk's final season playing on an artificial surface at the Falkirk Stadium.
Top-flight clubs agreed last year synthetic pitches would be phased out, with grass becoming mandatory from summer 2027.
That decision means clubs with existing artificial pitches can continue using them until then, but the direction of travel is clear.
Kilmarnock have already moved ahead of schedule, ripping up their plastic pitch and replacing it with a new hybrid surface which, from the early images, looks extremely impressive.
Falkirk, meanwhile, will continue operating on plastic for one more season before making the switch.

#season #surface #pitches #continue

Listen to Sportsound
St Johnstone v Kilmarnock (14:00) - Mitchell starts in second Perth stint; Ring makes league debut
Hibernian v Motherwell (16:30)
Scottish Premiership: St Johnstone host Kilmarnock before Motherwell visit Hibs

#kilmarnock #motherwell #Perth #ring

Captain Jason Holt has urged newly-promoted St Johnstone to show what they are capable of and "flourish" on their return to the Scottish Premiership.
Each of the previous three Championship winners – Dundee, Dundee United and Falkirk – went on to finish in the top six in their first season back in the Premiership.
Holt will lead Saints out for their league opener at home to Kilmarnock on Sunday.
"Obviously the teams that have come up in previous years have done fantastically well," said the midfielder.
"You look at Falkirk last year, they have done amazing, and obviously that'd be great.

#premiership #falkirk

Your club-by-club guide to the summer 2026 transfers in Scotland's top tier.
Who has your Premiership club brought in & let go? - January 2026
In: Tony Yogane, forward (Brentford, undisclosed); Ayoub Mouloua, forward (Rabat); Connor Ronan, midfielder (Colorado Rapids); Alexander Briedl, midfielder (Blau-Weiss Linz); Brad Lyons, midfielder (Kilmarnock); Lewis Mayo, defender (Kilmarnock); Dan Happe, defender (Leyton Orient); Toyosi Olusanya, forward (Houston Dynamo, loan to permanent).
Out: Graeme Shinnie, midfielder (Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Per Kristian Bratveit, goalkeeper; Ryan Duncan, midfielder; Vicente Besuijen, forward; Tom McIntyre, defender; Elvis Bwomono, defender; Conner Douglas, goalkeeper; Oliver Green, defender; Tristan Stephen, forward.
Loan ended: Dennis Geiger, midfielder (Hoffenheim); Lyall Cameron, midfielder (Rangers); Liam Morrison, defender (Queens Park Rangers).

Boreham Wood have signed Tottenham goalkeeper Luca Gunter on a season-long loan and Sunderland defender Oliver Bainbridge on a permanent deal
Gunter, 21, has previous National League experience, having played 14 times for Wealdstone in the latter half of the 2024-25 season.
He won the Under-17 and Under-18 Premier League Cup double with Tottenham in 2022-23, and the Premier League 2 **** le with the club's Under-21s the following season.
Bainbridge is a 21-year-old left-back who failed to make a first-team appearance at Sunderland but helped South Shields to the National North play-off final during a loan spell last season.
He also gained senior experience with Kilmarnock, where he spent the first half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan, making his debut against Celtic.

The five-in-a-row Champions of Scotland will unfurl the league flag and kick off their defence of the ***** le with a home match against Dundee on Monday, August 3, 2026 (KO 7.30pm).
The Hoops secured a 56th Scottish ***** le in dramatic circumstances on the final day of last season with a 3-1 victory over Hearts at Paradise, with late goals from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand delivering Martin O’Neill’s fourth league ***** le as Celtic manager.
Following the opening fixture against Dundee, the Hoops travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock on Sunday, August 9 at 1.30pm. Then it’s a trip to Perth for Martin O’Neill’s men where they will face newly promoted St Johnstone on Saturday, August 22 (KO 3pm) followed by two home games against Falkirk (August 29, KO 3pm) and Aberdeen (September 2, KO 7.45pm).
A full list of Celtic’s league fixtures is available below.
All fixtures subject to change.

Martin O'Neill officially agreed a one-year permanent contract as Celtic manager on 5 June 2026, ending months of uncertainty at Parkhead. The 74-year-old guided Celtic to a remarkable domestic double after stepping in twice as interim boss following the exits of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy. His appointment now sets the stage for a summer transfer window with at least one pressing question already on the table, and that question has a name: Marcelo Saracchi.
According to Oliver Walton of Football Insider, Celtic held genuine interest in signing Saracchi permanently, with the deal hinging almost entirely on his personal willingness to accept a backup role. Boca Juniors were actively pursuing a sale, with the player's contract running until December 2027.
Saracchi made 27 appearances across all competitions during his season-long loan, earning particular praise for a decisive cameo in the ***** le-winning match against Hearts. O'Neill himself told the Glasgow Times in February that the club should sign the Uruguayan permanently, saying he thought they "will" and "should" do it. His loan expires on 30 June 2026, meaning time is genuinely running out for the Hoops.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 09: Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic leaves the field injured during the Premier League match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Here is the honest case for signing Saracchi, and it starts with understanding exactly what he offers Celtic rather than what fans might want him to be. He is not a starter ahead of Kieran Tierney. He never was. But as a left-back who can cover with genuine quality, who fits the system, and who already knows the club inside out, his value sits well above his estimated €1.2 million price tag. Saracchi's career has taken him from River Plate to RB Leipzig, Galatasaray, Levante, and Boca Juniors before arriving in Glasgow, and that breadth of experience shows in his composure and reading of the game.