Kilmarnock

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Squad newcomer Findlay Curtis offers "something a little bit different" to Scotland, says head coach Steve Clarke.

Winger Curtis, who has impressed since joining Kilmarnock on loan from Rangers in January, is in contention to make his Scotland debut in Saturday's Hampden friendly with Japan.

Clarke, who admitted his team selection might "raise an eyebrow a little bit", insists 19-year-old Curtis is not just a player for the future.

"If he's in the squad he's for right now," said Clarke. "I've got a really good rapport with Finlay, obviously I've watched him, but I knew what he could bring.

"He's a really young boy, so he's equipped himself well in training. Is he one of a different sort of profile, especially with Ben [Gannon-Doak] out injured right now, can he add an injection of pace to the side?

"He brings something a little bit different. People always tell me I don't look for different things.

"Again, I think the young boys are important for the future."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Could Bruce Anderson step up for Kilmarnock in the absence of Tyreece John-Jules?

Striker John-Jules, who netted eight goals in 18 league outings, had his impressive campaign abruptly ended by a quad injury in late February.

Killie are currently 11th in the table, 12 points above Livingston and level with St Mirren. Aberdeen in ninth are only thee points ahead of Neil McCann's men.

Killie have won - and kept a clean sheet - in their past two Premiership games and are aiming to continue that form to avoid a relegation play-off.

Could Anderson be the man to help them do that?

The former Livingston striker last featured for Killie in their 5-1 defeat at Falkirk last month and has started just one of their past five league matches. The 27-year-old was an unused substitute in the wins over leaders Hearts and bottom side Livi.

McCann has favoured ex-Man United striker Joe Hugill alongside players like Marley Watkins and Greg Kiltie in John-Jules' absence. But Anderson's numbers for this season look good.

Only John-Jules has netted more goals than Anderson (four) in the top flight and is also the only player who has attempted more shots (Anderson 38, John-Jules 47).

Anderson has found himself with 13 big chances this term, the most of any Killie player, although he has only converted two.

His expected goals (xG) of 5.4 is also the highest at Killie while his five shots from-set pieces is the most in the squad and among the highest of any team in the division.

If McCann can get Anderson firing, he could be a major help in Kilmarnock's fight for survival.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Killie head into the international break in good spirits having completed back-to-back victories over Hearts and basement-dwelling Livingston.

The key to those wins is a much more stable defence - two clean sheets on the bounce has been the foundation for accruing six points.

It would be fair to say the management team of Neil McCann and Billy Dodds have not received the praise thus far their efforts have merited.

Stuart Kettlewell built a squad that had Championship written all over it and fans' spirits were at an all-time low after we lost meekly at Pittodrie in December.

After a few more weeks of poor results McCann was announced as the man to save us, although he initially received a lukewarm reception from many fans.

His January signings were encouraging and gradually he is changing the opinions of supporters with the team now playing a pleasing brand of football while picking up wins along the way.

Killie still sit in 11th place however we have momentum that will hopefully carry us to safety and we can then eulogise what a fine job Neil, Billy and the team have done.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Scotland coach Steven Naismith provided an insight as to why Findlay Curtis has been called into the national team squad.

Curtis - on loan from Rangers - scored in Kilmarnock's 2-0 Scottish Premiership win over Livingston on Saturday and Naismith says it is a great example of why he is highly thought of.

In addition, Naismith praised his desire to go out on loan to get regular starts after impressing as a squad player at Ibrox at the start of the campaign.

"This goal is a massive plus of what you see from Findlay Curtis," Naismith said on Sportscene.

"He's broke into Rangers' team, which is tough, and then he's not happy to just be a squad player.

"He gets chances in games, he's got a bit of pace and he commits defenders - these are all things that have caught the eye.

"Your development plateaus if you're not getting minutes, he's taken his opportunities this season."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Raphael Sallinger (Hibernian)

Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers, so three saves and a clean sheet wins it for the Hibs custodian.

RCB: James Tavernier (Rangers)

Can Rangers really afford to lose the goals this right-back gives them every season? Not getting any younger but still delivers, as his free-kick against Aberdeen demonstrated.

CB: Ross Graham (Dundee United)

A lion at the back for United against Celtic. Stifled all the defending champions could throw at him, clean sheet and three points that keep United's slim top-half hopes alive. The perfect riposte to his derby day dejection.

LCB: Liam Donnelly (St Mirren)

The midfielder played on the right of a back three for St Mirren and shone defensively as well as scoring the winner. A big three points away to Falkirk.

RWB: Oisin McEntee (Hearts)

Towering header the decisive moment for Hearts to break the deadlock against Dundee. His physicality and power make him a huge threat at set-pieces.

CM: Marc Leonard (Hearts)

A different kind of midfielder to Cammy Devlin but arrived at the right time to fill the void left by the Australian this season. His delivery for McEntee's vital goal was right on the money.

CM: Emmanuel Agyei (Dundee United)

A robust and dynamic performance from the Ghanaian, topped off with a huge goal.

LWB: Will Ferry (Dundee United)

Normally all about the delivery, but Sunday was all about the finish from Ferry, which opened the scoring against Celtic. Not the cleanest of strikes but it doesn't matter. Remarkably his first United goal.

RW: Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock)

Going to Kilmarnock was the best thing that happened to Steve Clarke, and the same for Curtis. Their paths will now cross in the Scotland camp, and rightly so. Curtis always looked like he had the talent, Kilmarnock are giving him the stage and all parties are benefitting. Scored the second in the big 2-0 win over Livingston.

CF: Joe Hugill (Kilmarnock)

An impressive showing topped with a goal from the former Manchester United youngster, and an assist for Curtis.

LW: Mikey Moore (Rangers)

The 18-year-old clearly had a lot of talent when he arrived at Ibrox, but in recent times he has stepped it up a level and delivered with consistency as Rangers continue their late charge for the title.

Watch Kilmarnock move 12 points clear of Scottish Premiership bottom side Livingston with victory at Rugby Park.

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Kilmarnock fans, we asked you about the important 2-0 win over Livingston at Rugby Park. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Robert: A win's a win. Joe Hugill and Findlay Curtis were exceptional and once again Jamie Brandon, Marley Watkins and Greg Kiltie got top marks. However, the referee was abysmal and had to get VAR to make a decision on a red card that the entire stadium knew was a goal-scoring chance.

James: An excellent performance in a vital game. Killie were worthy winners and were never under any concerted pressure. The two centre-backs, George Stanger & Robbie Deas, completely nullified the Livi strikers allowing the midfield players to create more chances. Hugill and Curtis were both excellent and thoroughly deserved their goals. Three points again and you definitely feel Killie are on the up.

Gazza: Imagine if Killie had jettisoned Stuart Kettlewell earlier. We now look like scoring in every game, Neil McCann and Billy Dodds have created a new Greg Kiltie, in addition to Curtis, Hugill and Tyreece John-Jules. We could be a dark horse next season. Aberdeen are my favourites for play-offs.

Gerry: Two well-worked and well-taken goals, and we maybe could have had another couple. Some strong performances from Hugill, Findlay, and Watkins. Brandon and Stanger have stiffened up the defence since their return. Hopefully, we can keep the momentum going after the break and pick up the points needed to pull clear of 11th place. Seven Cup finals to come.

Alan: Another great performance, not the most flashy, but certainly looking like a team again. Like most people I wasn't sure about McCann but have to say he has totally changed my mind. He is good to listen to for a start, so the players must feel the exact same, unlike the previous manager who waffled on for 15 minutes saying nothing.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

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If you rocked up at Rugby Park on Saturday, you'd be forgiven for thinking Joe Hugill was a veteran around these parts.

The forward has fit in seamlessly since joining at the end of January and was at the heart of the action in Kilmarnock's huge victory over Livingston.

The 22-year-old opened the scoring with a superb, deft finish before doing the hard yards on the counter to set up Findlay Curtis for a much-needed second.

"It's a great ball from Marley [Watkins]," Hugill told BBC Scotland of his goal.

"He's obviously working the channels in behind, to then get his head up pick me out was great. I got good contact on the ball as well, so it was a great goal."

The former Manchester United youth player added: "I'm loving it up here. I've settled in straight away - the manager, Doddsy, all the lads have been spot on with me.

"I think it's a good working team and I think we've shown that on the pitch as well.

"That all comes from the manager and the coaching staff who are obviously putting the belief in us to play the way we play, and then it's down to us executing the plan.

"It's a massive win today and I'm enjoying it."

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Kilmarnock recorded back-to-back victories in the Scottish Premiership for only the second time this season as they downed bottom side Livingston to leave them 12 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Read the match report here

Have your say on the game here

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann tells BBC Scotland: "It's fantastic. It's another clean sheet. We did brilliantly.

"We scored two fantastic goals. It's a very pleasing three points.

"They're playing with a bit of belief. We defended so well as a group.

"We got our second goal, I didn't think we ever looked in trouble after that.

"I'm so happy for the whole team with getting the result. I'm happy for Findlay Curtis. Scotland call-up, getting the second goal today.

"A lot of people will say we're under pressure but we look like we're handling it now but there's a long way to go."

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Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann has no new injury concerns. Tyreece John-Jules (quad), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

Livingston pair Joel Nouble and Brooklyn Kabongolo are both doubtful after picking up injuries against Hibs last weekend while Connor McLennan (ankle) is still out but Aidan Denholm is closing in on a return after a long-term hamstring injury.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Findlay Curtis isn't the only Kilmarnock player with a chance of playing at the World Cup finals this year.

While the on loan Rangers forward has been called up to the Scotland squad for the first time, team mate George Stanger has ambitions to represent New Zealand at the finals.

The 25-year-old, whose father played rugby for Scotland, qualifies for the All Whites through his mother.

Stanger was called up to the full international squad for the first time last autumn but has yet to make his debut.

The "Killie Kiwi" was sidelined with injury from December until the start of March but returned last weekend in the 1-0 over Premiership leaders Hearts.

Darren Bazeley though has left Stanger out of his squad for the challenge matches against Finland and Chile.

"After the game I got a text from the New Zealand manager right away to congratulate me being back on the team and on a good result," Stanger said.

"I've had quite regular dialogue with him about things.

"He phoned me last week to let me know that I wouldn't be in the squad for the coming couple of matches due to my lack of minutes."

But Stanger, who joined Killie in the summer from local rivals Ayr United, says he can force his way back into international reckoning with good performances in Killie's battle to avoid relegation.

"The only way I'm going to get myself involved is to be doing well here and to help Killie stay up this season," he said.

"With the World Cup in mind my main focus is here, because that's the only thing that's going to help me get to that is performing here and doing well here.

"It would be an amazing experience to be involved in that, it's something as a player I've always dreamed of but my full focus on helping Kilmarnock stay up this season."

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Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell has praised Findlay Curtis' "huge impact" on the club - but was delighted Neil McCann said the winger isn't guaranteed a game.

Curtis, 19, this week earned a first senior Scotland call-up after impressing since joining Killie on loan from Rangers two months ago.

"I thought he was excellent last weekend [against Hearts]," Bell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I really did. When I saw him live at the game I thought everything he'd done, his touch, his directness, his movement, his workrate, every single element of his game was excellent.

"Since he's come to Kilmarnock he's had a huge impact on the club. I was surprised when Rangers let him go, to be honest, but I think it's the best thing for him.

"He's moved away, he's got games and he's playing regularly but it's great to hear Neil saying that he's got no guarantees of playing.

"He needs to knuckle down, make sure he's producing that every single week or else he'll be out the team. So there's a demand there.

"I think he's been a real shining light for Kilmarnock."

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• Kilmarnock are unbeaten in six Scottish Premiership meetings with Livingston (W3 D3); they had lost five in a row against them in the competition beforehand.

• Livingston have lost three of their last four Premiership visits to Kilmarnock, although the exception was their most recent, a 2-2 draw on matchday one this season.

• After only winning two of their opening 23 league matches of the season (D8 L13), Kilmarnock have since won three of their past seven (D1 L3), with these three wins coming in their past four at home (L1).

• Livingston's tally of 15 points is the lowest by any side in their opening 30 matches of a Scottish top-flight campaign since Livingston themselves in 2005-06 (12).

• Against Hearts last time out, Michael Schjonning-Larsen became Kilmarnock's 15th different goal scorer (excluding own goals) in the Premiership this season, as many as they had in the whole of 2024-25. Killie last had more different players find the net in a campaign in the competition in 2018-19 (17).

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Rising star Findlay Curtis has gone from the Rangers fringes to Scotland squad - via an impactful stint with Kilmarnock - in the space of eight months.

The 19-year-old began the season with a start and a goal in Rangers' 2-0 home win over Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying, but struggled to cement a first-team spot under both Russell Martin and Danny Rohl.

Custis made 21 appearances - but just five starts - for Rangers across all competitions, scored three goals and set up a further two before heading on loan to Rugby Park to play under former Ibrox assistants Neil McCann and Billy Dodds.

Since making the switch to Ayrshire, the versatile youngster has been a standout in a Kilmarnock side fighting for survival.

Curtis has started all but two of Killie's six league games since then - he was ineligible to face parent club Rangers - and played several different positions.

In last weekend's deserved 1-0 win over leaders Hearts, he started on the left side of attack. Against Falkirk the week before, he was on the right and against St Mirren in February he was deployed at right-back. Talk about versatility.

While Curtis has just one assist so far (in Killie's 4-3 win over St Mirren last month) he has been impressive in attack. Despite having only arrived eight weeks ago, his 20 shots is the second most of any Kilmarnock player this season.

Curtis has also created seven chances from open play and three big chances - again the second highest of any Killie player.

The victory over Hearts summed up Curtis' prowess. Scotland boss Steve Clarke was in attendance at Rugby Park to watch the youngster and was clearly impressed as he handed Curtis his first senior call-up for this month's pre-World Cup friendlies.

Custis' five shots last Saturday was the most of any Killie player, in fact only Hearts' Claudio Braga (eight) attempted more. The teenager had six touches in the opposition box - again only Braga (10) had more - and won a game-high 12 duels.

Killie are second bottom of the Premiership, joint on points with St Mirren and nine above Livingston, but if they can keep Curtis firing there can surely be optimism around their chances of survival.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Kilmarnock head coach Neil McCann has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's visit of Livingston.

Here are the main points:

• McCann is "buzzing" for Rangers loanee Findlay Curtis, who received his first Scotland call-up for this month's friendlies, and says it is a "feather in the cap" for Kilmarnock having helped to develop the winger this season.

• The Rugby Park squad are "delighted" for Curtis as well, and McCann says: "He's integrated so well to the group you'd think we was a Kilmarnock player."

• He adds: "I think what it probably does is give maybe a wee bit of confidence to the group that there's eyes on us. I know it was a televised game the other night there against the league leaders, which gives its own profile, but it shows that there's an opportunity there for you if you come and perform."

• While McCann has been impressed with Curtis, he stresses "Findlay is not guaranteed a place, he has to earn it" and adds: "Although he was great against Hearts, there's no guarantees he plays this weekend because we have players really asking questions."

• McCann says the past week has been "great" following their win over leaders Hearts and "the luxury is that after a result like that you can allow the guys to really enjoy it".

• He believes "the evidence was there that we are a good side" and feels Killie "just need to get the consistency" in their performances.

• Killie occupy the relegation play-off spot and host bottom club Livingston on Saturday, with McCann describing it as a "huge game" but "not the biggest game of the season".

• Marvin Bartley, who took over from David Martindale at Livi, has "really started to get a tune out of the players" and McCann insists: "We can't go into this game thinking we've cracked it, we absolutely haven't."

• While Killie could go above St Mirren and out of the relegation play-off place, depending on the Buddies' result at Falkirk, McCann says "that's not going to be the message" and feels "the big prize is three points, whether that is going to take us out of that spot is out of our control".

• On former Killie manager Jim Fleeting, who died this week, McCann recalls "a legend in Ayrshire who did so much for grassroots and coaching in this country" and says "he'll be sadly missed".

• Team news: McCann says the squad is "looking great" and there's "no fitness worries at all".

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Former referee Steve Conroy thinks it is "mission creep" with VAR in Scottish football before new changes to the laws for the upcoming World Cup.

VAR was introduced in Scotland almost four years ago but has frequently been criticised by fans, players, managers and former players.

Now there could be more changes to the scope of technology as football's law-making body the International Football Association Board (Ifab) backed plans to increase the powers of VAR.

For this summer's World Cup in America, VAR will be allowed to intervene on second yellow cards and the awarding of corners, provided the process doesn't slow down the flow of play.

Ifab has also expanded the countdown rule around goalkeepers where they have eight seconds to release the ball from their hands to include goal kicks and throw-ins.

But former referee Conroy thinks involving the technology in more decision-making is bad news for the game.

"It's inescapable that there is more and more mission creep with VAR," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The authorities seem hell-bent on using it more and more and relying on it and I think that is to the detriment of football.

"I know Ifab are talking about getting them involved for corners and second yellows and all that sort of stuff. As [Celtic interim manager] Martin O'Neill said, soon enough we'll just referee from a port-a-cabin somewhere.

"And this is all happening at the same time as every football supporter survey tells you that they just want it binned."

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Our Achilles heel all season has been our tendency to lose soft goals so it was refreshing to see a solid defensive display against the league leaders.

I actually predicted a 1-0 Killie win in last week's column, however, that was more in hope than expectation.

It was an outstanding all-round performance with every player showing what it means to pull on the famous stripes.

Special mention must go to man of the match Aaron Tshibola, who put in a superb shift and the big man could be vital in our remaining games.

Greg Kiltie has been hugely improved under Neil McCann and is once again showing the kind of quality we always knew he had.

The manager has brought a positivity to the whole place and it would be good to see more fans turn up this week as we face a massive game at home to basement club Livingston.

Another win would probably consign them to the Championship and we would drag other clubs into the play-off battle.

Finally, we were saddened to hear former manager Jim Fleeting has died after a long illness. Jim was our manager at the rebirth of the club and made some huge signings that helped us climb back up the leagues. Condolences to Bobby, Mary and all the family.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

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Findlay Curtis says he was shocked to receive his first Scotland call-up and revealed the news had his mum in tears.

Curtis, 19, is on loan at Kilmarnock from Rangers and has been given his first chance to impress as head coach Steve Clarke prepares to lead Scotland at the World Cup finals in June.

Scotland host Japan at Hampden on Saturday 28 March before taking on Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday 31 March.

"It's unbelievable, I didn't expect it at such a young age but it's a dream come true and I just can't wait to get going," Curtis told Kilmarnock's in-house media channel.

"I got a call yesterday from the gaffer here [McCann] and he said you're in the consideration set-up, and I'm thinking to myself 'It's mental'. Then he phoned me and said I'm in the full squad.

"I was bursting with pride and told my mum and dad. My mum started crying. It's huge."

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Former Kilmarnock manager Jim Fleeting has died, aged 70.

Fleeting managed Killie between 1989 and 1992 after a stint with Stirling Albion. He later led the Scotland Women's National Team in 1998.

His playing career began with Norwich City before he moved to the USA to join Tampa Bay Rowdies.

He then spent five years with Ayr United before spells with Clyde and Greenock Morton.

After management, Fleeting became the Scottish FA's director of football development and trained renowned coaches such as Jose Mourinho

In a statement, Kilmarnock said: "The thoughts of everyone at Kilmarnock FC are with Jim's family - Irene, Barry and Julie - at this difficult time."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

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Jerome Prior - Livingston

Five saves at Easter Road are unlikely to save Livingston's season, but they brought a clean sheet and a point nonetheless.

Warren O'Hora - Hibernian

Another solid showing from the centre-back and a clean sheet.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

His character and class continues to help keep Celtic fighting for a league and cup double.

Michael Schjonning-Larsen - Kilmarnock

A huge goal against Hearts from the Estonian international to earn his Kilmarnock side a massive three points in their fight against relegation, and throw a massive spanner in the works of the Hearts title tilt.

Luca Stephenson - Dundee United

A brilliant, brave back-post header looked like it would give Dundee United all three points in the derby, but it wasn't to be.

Alex Gogic - St Mirren

If any player ever deserved the classic football hard man head bandage it's Alex Gogic. But the Cyprus international goes the extra mile.

With blood erupting from his head after a clash with a team-mate, there was no bandage required. Instead it took staples to stem the flow, topped off by a massive dollop of Vaseline. What a warrior.

He must be the most old-school player in the Premiership, and we love him for it. Great defensively against Rangers.

Nico Raskin - Rangers

Full of energy in the hurly-burly of midfield in poor conditions in Paisley. He delivered the assist for the vital goal.

Tuur Rommens - Rangers

Got high up the field to decisive effect as he sealed a big three points for Rangers.

Yang Hyun-Jun - Celtic

Two goals in a huge game to sink Motherwell. That is now six goals since Christmas for the South Korean international.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

The young striker is brimming with belief after graduating to Premiership football. 16 goals now in all competitions for the 21-year-old - albeit half of them while on loan at Championship Dunfermline. Four goals in his last 3 games, huge potential.

Findlay Curtis - Kilmarnock

Has brought a bit of X-factor to the Kilmarnock attack. Looks like a player who can ignite things for the Rugby Park side as they fight to get out of the play-off spot.