Kettlewell aims to make first Kilmarnock gs

Stuart Kettlewell hopes to confirm his first gs as Kilmarnock manager "pretty soon".

Former Motherwell and Ross County boss Kettlewell, 40, has replaced Derek McInnes at Rugby Park.

And he told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound: "We're working hard on a few new faces.

"I would love to think that we can get close to something pretty soon. That work has started."

Winger Danny Armstrong, captain and forward Kyle Vassell and defender Joe Wright are among the players out of contract at Killie following the 2024-25 campaign. The Ayrshire side finished ninth in the Premiership.

"I've been round every player in contract or out of contract and I've tried to do an awful lot of work," Kettlewell explained.

"There's big influential characters there. I've done a lot of fact finding with the staff that are in the building.

"As many quality players that we can get tied up, we'll look to do that but of course there's going to be a freshness."

Kilmarnock's new season will begin away to Brora Rangers in the League Cup on 12 July before further Group H fixtures with Premiership newcomers Livingston, Kelty Hearts and East Fife.