McCann on 'fortress' Rugby Park, new signings & tough United test

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before his side’s Premiership match with Dundee United this weekend.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• McCann would have preferred to have a game last weekend, but says it gave them a “wee chance to work on some things”.

• Kilmarnock now have back-to-back games at Rugby Park and McCann aims to make it a “fortress”, adding: “It’s very important we try and emulate that [home form] from last season. We made this place definitely hard for visitors to come and play. Rugby Park, I’m hoping, is going to be something of the same as what we saw last year.”

• New signing Cathal McCarthy could make his debut on Saturday and McCann has high hopes for the loan defender who he “had my eye on for a wee bit” and is “highly regarded” by parent club Hull City.

• Defender Jonathan Meier is also in contention for a debut and striker Djenario Daniels is “flying” in recent weeks as he returns from a lengthy injury lay-off.

• McCann says the season “feels as if it hasn’t quite got going yet, but we’re about to hit top speed in the next five, six weeks”.

• Reflecting on his side’s Ayrshire derby win in the previous game, he says: “To play in the manner in which we did, we completely bossed the game.”

• McCann expects a “tough game” against United and says Jim Goodwin’s side have changed their style from last season.

• With a week left in the transfer window, McCann is upbeat about recruitment so far, but stresses it will take time for the squad to fully gel: “The window’s been good. It’s going to take us a wee bit of time to pull together.”

• He adds: “Not everybody’s high speed yet, but we’re looking hopefully to click up a couple of gears come Saturday against United.”

McCann would have preferred to have a game last weekend, but says it gave them a “wee chance to work on some things”.

Kilmarnock now have back-to-back games at Rugby Park and McCann aims to make it a “fortress”, adding: “It’s very important we try and emulate that [home form] from last season. We made this place definitely hard for visitors to come and play. Rugby Park, I’m hoping, is going to be something of the same as what we saw last year.”

New signing Cathal McCarthy could make his debut on Saturday and McCann has high hopes for the loan defender who he “had my eye on for a wee bit” and is “highly regarded” by parent club Hull City.

Defender Jonathan Meier is also in contention for a debut and striker Djenario Daniels is “flying” in recent weeks as he returns from a lengthy injury lay-off.

McCann says the season “feels as if it hasn’t quite got going yet, but we’re about to hit top speed in the next five, six weeks”.

Reflecting on his side’s Ayrshire derby win in the previous game, he says: “To play in the manner in which we did, we completely bossed the game.”

McCann expects a “tough game” against United and says Jim Goodwin’s side have changed their style from last season.

With a week left in the transfer window, McCann is upbeat about recruitment so far, but stresses it will take time for the squad to fully gel: “The window’s been good. It’s going to take us a wee bit of time to pull together.”

He adds: “Not everybody’s high speed yet, but we’re looking hopefully to click up a couple of gears come Saturday against United.”