Kilmarnock Football Club has turned to former Rangers winger Neil McCann in a bid to secure their Scottish Premiership survival, appointing him as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
A Daunting Challenge at Rugby Park
The 51-year-old steps into the hot seat at Rugby Park following the dismissal of Stuart Kettlewell last month. McCann inherits a team in serious trouble, with the club having failed to win a single league match since early October. This dismal run now stretches across 14 consecutive games, leaving Kilmarnock second from bottom in the table.
They are currently just four points ahead of bottom side Livingston, with the two teams set for a monumental showdown this weekend. That match will be McCann's first in charge and could prove pivotal in the relegation battle. Overall, the new boss takes over with the Ayrshire side five points adrift of safety.
McCann's Return to the Dugout
This appointment marks McCann's first permanent management role since his time in charge of Dundee between 2017 and 2018. More recently, he served as part of Barry Ferguson's interim backroom team at Rangers last season alongside Billy Dodds. Both men left Ibrox following the appointment of Russell Martin as the new boss.
Dodds will now reunite with McCann at Kilmarnock, joining as his assistant manager. Significantly, the pair have been handed contracts that run until the summer of 2028, indicating the board's long-term faith in their leadership.
Board Backing and Immediate Pressure
In a statement, the Kilmarnock board emphasised the importance of the appointment, stating: "We fully understand how important it was to get this appointment right. After a thorough process, we are assured that Neil and Billy have the qualities, experience and character required to lead Kilmarnock Football Club forward."
The board expressed complete faith in the duo's ability to keep the club in the top flight, highlighting their in-depth knowledge of the Scottish league. McCann, who had been working as a television pundit in recent months, now faces the immediate and pressing task of reviving the team's fortunes and preventing a drop to the Championship.
The statement concluded with confidence that the players would adapt quickly to the new leadership at this crucial moment for the club.
