Neil McCann, manager of Kilmarnock Football Club, has emphasized the importance of continued progress as the club prepares for the upcoming Scottish Premiership season. McCann took over the Rugby Park outfit in January when they were positioned 11th in the league with a concerning record of losses across more than half their matches. However, a winning streak toward the end of the season enabled the club to avoid the relegation play-offs, creating optimism heading into the new campaign.
McCann indicated that the club aims to maintain momentum rather than simply maintain their current standing. He stressed that stagnation equates to decline and expressed determination to move the club forward from its position when he arrived. The manager credited the coaching staff, including Billy Dodds, with responsibility for building a squad capable of sustaining the positive finish from the previous season.
Kilmarnock faces newly-promoted St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Sunday in their league opener. McCann cautioned against underestimating the opponent despite their recent promotion from the Championship, noting that manager Simo Valakari has established a solid tactical approach. McCann acknowledged that his own squad has not yet reached peak performance levels but viewed the previous season’s positive conclusion as a foundation for further development.
The club has undertaken a significant infrastructure change by replacing its artificial pitch with grass for the first time since 2014. This change followed top-flight clubs voting to prohibit plastic pitches starting this season, with Falkirk receiving an exemption for an additional year. McCann expressed confidence that the new grass surface, currently settling after recent installation, will rival premier facilities across the country and may provide benefits to the team’s preferred style of play.
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