Kilmarnock head into Sunday’s William Hill Premiership opener against St Johnstone with momentum on their side after finishing the Premier Sports Cup group stage unbeaten.
Neil McCann’s side topped Group H after a goalless draw with Peterhead in their final fixture, a result that was enough to send Killie through as group winners without suffering a defeat.
St Johnstone already out of the cup
St Johnstone, by contrast, have already exited the Premier Sports Cup before the league campaign gets under way. They drew 1-1 with East Fife before losing on penalties, so the visit to Kilmarnock marks a fresh start in the William Hill Premiership.
That gives Sunday’s match a different edge for both clubs. Kilmarnock arrive with an unbeaten record from the group stage and the confidence that comes with progressing cleanly into the league season, while St Johnstone are looking to reset after their cup exit and make an early impression in the top flight.
What to watch on Sunday
The game also underlines the contrast in timing between the two sides. Kilmarnock enter the opener after a complete group-stage run, while St Johnstone come into it having already taken their cup exit and now turning fully to league football.
For supporters, the fixture offers an early measure of both teams’ rhythm at the start of the season, with Kilmarnock hoping to build on their unbeaten Group H campaign and St Johnstone aiming to respond quickly.
