Archive September 28, 2025

At the end of May, Stuart Kettlewell’s appointment did not appeal to some Kilmarnock fans. The polite version was “Underwhelming.”

However, after their first league victory of the year, some of those same Tannadice fans chanted his name four months later.

That figure might surprise you on paper.

Kettlewell’s first Scottish Premiership victory came after six games, and his team exited the competition in the quarter-finals. However, that doesn’t fully convey the message.

Fans enjoyed what they saw during his 12 games in charge. There has been a clear style of play, young players have excelled, and fresh signings have quickly bonded.

When former Ross County and Motherwell manager Kettlewell was revealed, it would be fair to say that there was a sex difference.

Fans of BBC Sport Scotland were quick to voice their opinions, but it wasn’t entirely agreeable.

Martin: Terrible appointment, County County failure, Motherwell bailout before being fired. Board sucked in by his “word soup” and ignores protests from fans (polling 90% against). A relegation fight is in hand. Regret the season ticket’s early renewal.

Davey: Absolutely content. possesses a reputation for introducing young players into the Scottish game. No doubt, everyone will yell at everyone regardless of their position.

Peter, Kettlewell is a cheap choice.

Some argued that the board had no intention of doing it, while others argued that the fans should continue to support him regardless.

Martin’s comment, which is above, may have been a little harsh. Cleveland and co-manager Steven Ferguson contributed to County’s rise to the top, while Motherwell finished fifth in the league when he left.

Kettlewell didn’t let that initial skepticism manifest in his writing.

Kilmarnock hit the ground running in the League Cup after missing his honeymoon and making a full pre-season trip to the Netherlands with his team.

Following a respectable victory over Livingston, Brora Rangers won favorably. A win over East Fife guaranteed passage to the second round while a penalty shootout loss to Kelty Hearts appeared a blip.

However, it wasn’t quite as straightforward in the league.

The manager was initially disappointed with what he had seen, saying that he had “bit your hand off” for such a campaign-launching moment after the League Cup second round win over United.

The only loss to date, at least in the last 90 minutes, was against Celtic, and that was in the 96th minute penalty debate.

In previous games, Kettlewell claimed that “we weren’t a million miles away from where we wanted to be” after Saturday’s victory at Tannadice.

Did St. Mirren and Celtic have a good game plan, in your opinion? Yes. In the end, we were dealt two bitter blows and faced penalties.

“That can create a negative atmosphere around the circumstance. However, today we received our just rewards because the performances were excellent. The players were boosted by that belief and confidence.

Kuttlewell’s attacking yet pragmatic play is highly recommended.

George Stanger, Lewis Mayo, and Robbie Deas make a strong back-three, and he has consistently chosen his players.

Although both Jamie Brandon and Ben Brannan have recently experienced injury issues, both were first-choice wingbacks and excelled.

After arriving in the summer, Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels have forged a physical partnership.

However, David Watson is the real star. Former manager Derek McInnes frequently left the midfielder on the bench during the second half of last year, but he has since found a new life.

Watson has also praised his new boss, while Kettlewell has previously had young talents (Lennon Miller was his ingenue at Motherwell).

The 20-year-old said, “He’s been helpful, not just for me, but for other young lads.” He has been fantastic. Every day, young boys are training, which opens up opportunities for academy players.

Fans want to see their team win, but they also want to see young players succeed and see their team play well.

Kettlewell has so far fulfilled those expectations. Before the win at Tannadice, Kilmarnock have already won one of their past 15 road victories in the league.

Brendan Rodgers has recently been dealing a lot with his selection of the starting front three for Celtic.

That contrasts favorably with recent seasons, when they had stick-on roles like Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Liel Abada, for example.

The champions are still looking for the right balance between their current squad and their own.

It was surprising to see Kelechi Iheanacho start as striker in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Hibernian given that he had made a significant impact in his first few starts since his unheralded arrival post-transfer window.

Daizen Maeda’s middle role was also present in the 1-1 Europa League draw with Red Star Belgrade in midweek.

However, the Japan itnernational was canceled at half-time due to Iheanacho’s scoring and positive focus.

With his match fitness and, undoubtedly, his confidence improving, the question was how to use the two wide positions in his place to the best advantage when facing a Hibs side that was determined and resolute defensively.

Maeda successfully assumed the role of the main striker following Kyogo’s departure in January.

His 33 goals last term earned him an unimaginable victory and deservedly won all of the player of the year awards.

The 27-year-old has not reached the same level as Adam Idah, despite keeping the now-deceased actor largely on the sidelines. He without a doubt believed he would play for another club, which is why.

He and Celtic’s recruitment were obviously affected by it. Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s arrival appears to indicate that they intended for him to leave.

Tounekti has hit the ground running and is currently leading the charge in the left-wing direction Maeda has most consistently held.

Balikwisha failed to succeed when facing off against Kilmarnock and has so far had little impact.

With only Yang Hyun-Jun and James Forrest in the lead role, the right side appears much more bare. The Japanese took the lead on Saturday, with Iheanacho’s arrival reducing Maeda’s need to play up top.

Rodgers confirmed to BBC Scotland prior to the game that Yang wasn’t injured when he lost to Hibs. Knowing that Iheanacho would not likely continue for the 90 minutes, he instead desired a second striker, Johnny Kenny, on the bench.

Tounekti will start on the left, at least until Jota recovers from a broken leg, when Maeda starts and Forrest returns in that wide-right role.

Yang might struggle with concentration. It appears that Balikwisha is also on the rise.

Given that Celtic did not score, the obvious response is no.

Rodgers praised the performance, citing a top defensive display from Hibs, and they did threaten enough to win the majority of games.

He claimed that despite all the metric, “we were dominant” in the game. “We just lacked that killer instinct in the box,” said one player who thought our football was really good. We played well on the pitch.

Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi, both of whom were denied by the crossbar in the first half, were unfortunate at times for Celtic. Madea delivered one of those with excellent delivery and pace on a plate.

The home side would have scored at least once on a different day, as evidenced by a 3 xG.

John Collins, a former Celtic midfielder, believes Maeda is still not quite reaching his potential since revealing his desire to leave last month.

On Sportsound, Collins declared, “I don’t think you should ever make that public.” It is “a dangerous thing to do,” he said.

He has been a great servant, a great buy for Celtic, and had an incredible season last year, but football is all about today. These Celtic supporters demand a total commitment on the pitch, not just what you did last week.

“He looks jaded, in all fairness to him, but that’s what he’s been given from day one.”

Only six shots were made on target against Hibs, which is a testament to Celtic’s dominance. Iheanacho hit the net only to stumble over.

Concerning the home side’s lack of realism may be the fact that the home side only managed to score one shot on target in the 39th minute despite already striking woodwork.

Rodgers knew he needed better quality in the forward areas because they have been unusually blunt – only one of their eight Premiership goals have been scored in the first six of their six league games so far.