2017–18_Kilmarnock_F.C._season

2017–18 Kilmarnock F.C. season

2017–18 Kilmarnock F.C. season

Kilmarnock 2017–18 football season


The 2017–18 season was Kilmarnock's fifth season in the Premiership, and their 25th consecutive season in the top flight of Scotlish football.

Quick Facts Chairman, Manager ...

Overview

Following a pre-season training camp in La Manga, Spain,[1] Kilmarnock played one friendly before the season began against Livingston.[2]

Kilmarnock were seeded for the group stage draw of the League Cup and were drawn to face rivals Ayr United along with Dumbarton, Clyde and Annan Athletic.

In their opening fixture, Kilmarnock lost their first Ayrshire derby for 18 years after Andy Geggan scored the only goal at Somerset Park.[3] After the early setback, Kilmarnock recovered to finish second in Group E and qualified for the second round where they would play defending champions Celtic at Celtic Park.[4] There was a question over whether Celtic should have been awarded a penalty after 13 minutes when Jonny Hayes appeared to dive in the box but it made little difference as they eased to a 5–0 win and knocked Kilmarnock out.[5]

The Premiership season began on 5 August 2017 and is scheduled to conclude on 13 May 2018.[6] Kilmarnock were originally scheduled to play their first away match on 12 August 2017 against Heart of Midlothian but the fixture was reversed due to the redevelopment of Tynecastle Stadium.[7][8] Their first away game of the season was instead played on 9 September 2017 against Motherwell, their fifth league fixture. The rearranged Hearts tie, due to be played on 5 November 2017, was subsequently switched to Murrayfield Stadium because the redevelopment works had taken longer than initially scheduled.[9]

Kilmarnock picked up their first point of the season in a 2–2 home draw with Hamilton Academical in their fourth game. The away side managed to hold Kilmarnock to a draw by scoring a last-minute penalty to come back from 2–0 down. Top scorer Kris Boyd picked up a hamstring injury during the match.[10]

Kilmarnock's match against Hibernian on 21 October 2017 was postponed due to Hibernian's participation in the League Cup semi-finals and was rearranged to be played on 31 October 2017.[11]

Following a 2–0 home defeat to Ross County, Kilmarnock parted company with manager Lee McCulloch on 1 October 2017. Kilmarnock had won none of their opening eight league matches scoring only five goals as they sat bottom of the table with just three points.[12] On 14 October 2017 Kilmarnock announced that former West Bromwich Albion and Reading manager Steve Clarke would take over as manager from 16 October 2017. Academy director Paul McDonald took charge of the game against Partick Thistle on 14 October 2017.[13][14]

With new manager Steve Clarke watching from the stand, Kilmarnock claimed their first league win of the season with a 2–0 victory at Firhill Stadium against fellow strugglers Partick Thistle. Top scorer Kris Boyd scored his first goal since August as Kilmarnock moved off the bottom of the league.[15]

Clarke had to wait until 25 October for his first game in charge of the team at Ibrox Stadium against Rangers. The home side took the lead shortly before half time when Jason Holt scored. However, as Clark alluded to after the game, his side looked as if they deserved something from the game.[16] In a dramatic final few minutes, Rangers were awarded a penalty before Ryan Jack was sent off for Rangers on 93 minutes. Daniel Candeias stepped up but his effort was saved by Killie keeper Jamie MacDonald and Kilmarnock broke up the other end with former Rangers midfielder Chris Burke netting the equaliser.[17]

Just three days later, Clarke's side recorded another creditable draw in Glasgow after Jordan Jones scored a 60th-minute equaliser against Celtic at Celtic Park.[18]

Clarke's first home game in charge saw Killie take on Hibernian on Halloween. The scoreline may suggest a Halloween horror show for Clarke's men but the home side were extremely unlucky - creating 16 scoring opportunities in the match - as a clinical Hibs recorded a 3–0 win.[19]

Murrayfield Stadium was the scene for Clarke's first win in charge against Hearts on 5 November 2017. Kris Boyd had given Killie a 1–0 half-time lead before Esmaël Gonçalves equalised with 14 minutes to go. Adam Frizzell scored his second goal of the season 10 minutes later as Killie earned a 2–1 win.[20]

Kilmarnock had to wait until 9 December 2017 for their first home league win of the season against Partick Thistle. Chris Erskine had cancelled out Kris Boyd's opener before Killie ran riot with Eamonn Brophy scoring twice, Boyd getting his second and an unfortunate own goal from Niall Keown earning them a 5–1 win as they moved up to eighth in the Premiership.[21] It was the first time Kilmarnock had scored five goals in a league game since a 5–1 SPL win against Dunfermline Athletic in December 2006, 11 years ago.[22]

Clarke's Kilmarnock continued to break records as they picked up their 13th point in five games with a first win over Rangers at Rugby Park since 2011 and a third consecutive home win for the first time in three years. Kris Boyd scored his 10th and 11th goals of the season as Killie came from behind to earn a deserved 2–1 win against the Glasgow side. The three points saw Kilmarnock spend Christmas in the top six as they moved up two places to sixth in the table.[23]

Killie's Premiership match with Hamilton Academical on 27 December 2017 was postponed after the pitch at New Douglas Park failed a second inspection. Hamilton claimed that the match was "swept away by nature" after snow - which had been left on the pitch overnight - had frozen leaving the artificial surface unplayable.[24][25]

Hibernian were the opponents for Killie's last match of 2017 and their last match ahead of the three-week winter break. A Kris Boyd goal earned Kilmarnock a 1–1 draw at Easter Road as they extended their unbeaten away run to nine matches and ended December unbeaten with four wins and two draws. The point moved Kilmarnock back above St Johnstone as they ended the year in the top six.[26] On Monday 15 January 2018, Clarke was named Premiership manager of the month for December with Kris Boyd named player of the month after scoring six goals in December.[27]

Kilmarnock were due to play St Johnstone on 24 January 2018 at Rugby Park but the match was postponed after the Perth Saints' Scottish Cup match with Albion Rovers was postponed due to a frozen pitch at Cliftonhill and subsequently rearranged to be played on 23 January 2018.[28] The match against Dundee on 31 January 2018 suffered a similar fate after it was postponed due to the clash Dundee's Scottish Cup fourth round replay against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on the same day.[29]

Kilmarnock entered the fourth round of Scottish Cup as one of the Premiership clubs, starting on 20 January 2018.[30] The draw for the fourth round was made on Monday, 20 November 2017[31] and Kilmarnock were drawn at home to fellow Premiership side Ross County. Lee Erwin scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after Tim Chow was sent off late on.[32]

The fifth round draw was made on 21 January 2018[33] and Kilmarnock were drawn at home to Highland League side Brora Rangers. The two teams had never played against each other before and Brora made it tough for Kilmarnock but the Premiership side ran out 4–0 winners.[34]

The draw for the quarter-finals was made on 11 February 2018[35] and Kilmarnock were drawn away to fellow Premiership side Aberdeen. After conceding an early goal at Pittodrie Stadium, Killie battled back and earned a replay at Rugby Park thanks to a Kris Boyd penalty.[36]

Kilmarnock's cup run came to an end in the replay at Rugby Park. The 90 minutes ended in a stalemate and, with a place in the semi-finals against Motherwell awaiting the winner, Stephen O'Donnell gave the home side the lead six minutes into extra-time. Aberdeen equalised through a Kenny McLean penalty before Eamonn Brophy had a goal controversially disallowed for offside. In the penalty shoot-out, former Killie keeper Freddie Woodman saved three penalties to see Aberdeen through 3–2.[37]

Match results

Pre-season and friendlies

More information Date, Opponents ...

Premiership

More information Date, Opponents ...

Scottish Cup

More information Date, Round ...

League Cup

More information Date, Round ...

Club statistics

Competition Overview

More information Competition, First match ...

Source: Competitions

League table

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: Soccerway BBC
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Play-off (only if deciding champion, UEFA competitions qualification and second-stage group allocation).[81]
Notes:
  1. Teams play each other three times (33 matches) before the league is split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six).

League cup table

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: [82]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[83]
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated

Squad statistics

More information No., Pos. ...

Source:[84]

Player transfers

Transfers in

More information Date, Pos. ...

Transfers out

More information Date, Pos. ...

Notes

  1. ^
    Note 1: McCulloch left Kilmarnock by mutual consent on 1 October 2017.[12] McDonald took charge of one match before Clarke was appointed permanent manager on 16 October 2017.[13][14]

References

  1. "Pre-Season Update From La Manga". Kilmarnock FC. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  2. "Pre-Season Friendly Kilmarnock 1-0 Livingston". Kilmarnock FC. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  3. Southwick, Andrew (14 July 2017). "Ayr United 1–0 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  4. "Betfred Cup last-16 ties confirmed". SPFL. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  5. "Celtic 5 Kilmarnock 0: Leigh Griffiths strengthens air of invincibility in romp". The Telegraph. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  6. "Key dates". SPFL. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  7. "August home games reversed". Heart of Midlothian. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  8. "Ladbrokes Premiership fixture changes". SPFL. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  9. "Murrayfield to host Hearts v Kilmarnock on 5 November". BBC. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  10. Barnes, John (26 August 2017). "Kilmarnock 2–2 Hamilton Academical". BBC. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  11. "Ladbrokes Premiership fixture changes". SPFL. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  12. "Kilmarnock manager Lee McCulloch leaves club by mutual consent". BBC. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  13. "Kilmarnock FC announce Steve Clarke as club's new manager". Kilmarnock FC. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  14. Barnes, John (14 October 2017). "Kilmarnock: Steve Clarke is named the club's new manager". BBC. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  15. Lamont, Alasdair (14 October 2017). "Partick Thistle 0–2 Kilmarnock". BBC. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  16. "Pedro Caixinha determined to continue as Rangers manager". BBC. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  17. "Rangers 1–1 Kilmarnock". BBC. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  18. Sutherland, Jonathan (28 October 2017). "Celtic 1–1 Kilmarnock". BBC. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  19. McLaughlin, Brian (31 October 2017). "Kilmarnock 0–3 Hibernian". BBC. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  20. McLaughlin, Brian (5 November 2017). "Heart of Midlothian 1–2 Kilmarnock". BBC. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  21. Barnes, John (9 December 2017). "Kilmarnock 5–1 Partick Thistle". BBC. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  22. "Weekend in Numbers". SPFL. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  23. Sutherland, Jonathan (23 December 2017). "Kilmarnock 2–1 Rangers". BBC. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  24. Brannan, Laura (27 December 2017). "Hamilton Accies v Kilmarnock postponed due to frozen pitch". STV. Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  25. "Match OFF". Hamilton Academical FC. 27 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  26. McLaughlin, Brian (30 December 2017). "Hibernian 1–1 Kilmarnock". BBC. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  27. Branan, Laura (15 January 2018). "Killie duo Steve Clarke and Kris Boyd win monthly awards". STV. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  28. "Kilmarnock v St Johnstone Premiership match postponed". Kilmarnock FC. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  29. "Ladbrokes Premiership postponements". SPFL. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  30. "2017-18 Scottish Cup Format Composition" (PDF). scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 4 August 2017.[permanent dead link]
  31. Scottish FA [@ScottishCup] (17 November 2017). "Scottish Cup draw" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 December 2017 via Twitter.
  32. Crawford, Kenny (20 January 2018). "Kilmarnock 1–0 Ross County". BBC. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  33. "Amy MacDonald and David Weir to present Fifth Round Draw". Scottish FA. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  34. Lewis, Jane (10 February 2018). "Kilmarnock 4–0 Brora Rangers". BBC. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  35. "Russell Anderson and Rachel Corsie to present Sixth Round Draw". Scottish FA. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  36. Davie, Scott (3 March 2018). "Aberdeen 1–1 Kilmarnock". BBC. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  37. Dowden, Martin (13 March 2018). "Kilmarnock 1–1 Aberdeen (2–3 pens)". BBC. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  38. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 1–2 St Johnstone". SPFL. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  39. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 0–1 Hearts". SPFL. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  40. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 0–2 Celtic". SPFL. 19 August 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  41. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 2–2 Hamilton Academical". SPFL. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  42. "Premiership: Motherwell 2–0 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  43. "Premiership: Aberdeen 1–1 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  44. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 1–1 Dundee". SPFL. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  45. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 0–2 Ross County". SPFL. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  46. "Premiership: Partick Thistle 0–2 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  47. "Premiership: Rangers 1–1 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  48. "Premiership: Celtic 1–1 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  49. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 0–3 Hibernian". SPFL. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  50. "Premiership: Hearts 1–2 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  51. "Premiership: Dundee 0–0 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  52. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 1–3 Aberdeen". SPFL. 26 November 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  53. "Premiership: St Johnstone 1–2 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  54. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 5–1 Partick Thistle". SPFL. 9 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  55. "Premiership: Ross County 2–2 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  56. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 1–0 Motherwell". SPFL. 16 December 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  57. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 2–1 Rangers". SPFL. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  58. "Premiership: Hibernian 1–1 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 27 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  59. "Premiership: Aberdeen 3–1 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  60. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 1–0 Celtic". SPFL. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  61. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 3–2 Dundee". SPFL. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  62. "Premiership: Motherwell 0–1 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 17 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  63. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 2–2 Hibernian". SPFL. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  64. "Premiership: Hearts 1–1 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  65. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 2–0 St Johnstone". SPFL. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  66. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 3–2 Ross County". SPFL. 10 March 2018. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  67. "Premiership: Rangers vs Kilmarnock". SPFL. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  68. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 2–0 Hamilton Accies". SPFL. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  69. "Premiership: Partick Thistle 0–1 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  70. "Premiership: Hamilton Accies 1–2 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  71. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 0–2 Aberdeen". SPFL. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  72. "Premiership: Hibernian 5–3 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  73. "Premiership: Rangers 1–0 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  74. "Premiership: Celtic 0–0 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  75. "Premiership: Kilmarnock 1–0 Hearts". SPFL. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  76. "Betfred Cup: Ayr United 1–0 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  77. "Betfred Cup: Kilmarnock 4–2 Clyde". SPFL. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  78. "Betfred Cup: Annan Athletic 0–2 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  79. "Betfred Cup: Kilmarnock 3–0 Dumbarton". SPFL. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  80. "Betfred Cup: Celtic 5–0 Kilmarnock". SPFL. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  81. "Premiership 2017/2018 - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  82. "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  83. "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  84. "Kilmarnock FC player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  85. "Higgins and Power join Kilmarnock". SPFL. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  86. "Kilmarnock sign defender Calum Waters from Alloa". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  87. "Stephen O'Donnell signs for Kilmarnock after release by Luton Town". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  88. "Kilmarnock: Defender Kirk Broadfoot joins club on three year deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  89. "Dom Thomas: Kilmarnock sign midfielder from Motherwell". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  90. "Kilmarnock: Chris Burke joins Rugby Park side on one-year deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  91. "Lee Erwin: Kilmarnock sign former Motherwell striker". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  92. "Kilmarnock: Scotland defender Gordon Greer becomes club's 10th signing". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  93. Barnes, John (4 August 2017). "Cammy Bell rejoins Kilmarnock after agreeing Dundee United release". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  94. "Kilmarnock sign Eamonn Brophy and Brad Spencer". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  95. "Player Announcement: Stuart Findlay". Kilmarnock FC. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  96. "Kilmarnock sign former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  97. "Aaron Tshibola: Kilmarnock sign Aston Villa midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  98. "Kilmarnock sign Simpson on loan from Wolves as Bell leaves". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  99. "Completed Transfers - Deadline Day January 2018". Scottish FA. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  100. "Leo Fasan: Kilmarnock sign ex-Celtic goalkeeper until end of season". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  101. "Cowdenbeath add three to squad". SPFL. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  102. "Osborne Joins The Mariners". Grimsby Town FC. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  103. "Martin Smith: Coleraine sign ex-Kilmarnock midfielder on short-term deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  104. "Eamonn Brophy: Kilmarnock forward extends stay until 2021". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.

Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 2017–18_Kilmarnock_F.C._season, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.