Kilmarnock fans vent frustration after St Johnstone draw leaves McCann under pressure
Kilmarnock moved off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership but a home draw against 10-man St Johnstone drew boos from supporters, leaving manager Neil McCann under scrutiny.
Kilmarnock edged off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, but a home draw against St Johnstone did little to lift the mood at Rugby Park. The hosts shared four goals with the visitors, who played roughly 80 minutes with 10 men, and the final whistle was met with loud boos and angry gestures from sections of the home support.
The reaction underlined the frustration of Rugby Park regulars, with patience wearing thin for a side that has recorded only two league wins all season. Manager Neil McCann acknowledged the disappointment, telling BBC Scotland that dropping two points from a promising position felt like a defeat and that conceding twice against a short-handed opponent was especially painful.
The performance itself offered encouraging numbers. Kilmarnock registered 22 goal attempts, their highest total in a league match this season, and attempted 542 passes, their most in a single Premiership game this term. McCann argued his players showed no shortage of effort or willingness to win, and said the team needed the support more than ever.
He also pointed to anxiety around the stadium, saying he sensed unease even when his side led 2-1 and felt the players were affected by it. He described his team as rushing things and lacking quality in the final moments, while noting that playing against a hard-working side with a man advantage demands patience.
Kilmarnock have now taken one point from their past three matches after two defeats, and their next fixture is away to defending champions and league leaders Celtic, a ground where they have not won since October 2012 and where they have conceded heavily on recent league visits. McCann, however, said he does not feel the pressure personally but does feel it for his players.
Supporters' anger was evident, but their views are reactions rather than verified conclusions about the manager's future. The club's season may ultimately be shaped less by the trip to Celtic Park than by the following games against Aberdeen, St Mirren and Hibs.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
