Kilmarnock are closing in on an unwanted record as relegation fears deepen

When Neil McCann took over at Kilmarnock on January 6, the club said they had “full confidence” that the former Scotland winger and his assistant Billy Dodds had what it takes to keep the beleaguered Ayrshire club in the Scottish Premiership.

Stuart Kettlewell was sacked in December after 10 games without a win, with caretaker coach Chris Dolan only able to pick up one point from his four matches.

The club turned to McCann for an injection of confidence, hoping points would duly follow.

There has been no bounce back for the new manager in the three games since, and Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Motherwell means they are now 17 games away – 16 in the Premier League – without a win.

Failing to pick up a win at home to Aberdeen next Saturday and away to Rangers the following weekend, Killie will equal their worst ever league run, which occurred in the 1980-81 season when they were relegated from the top flight – a grim omen perhaps.

McCann clung to the positives after the defeat at Fir Park, citing an impressive start which he felt was undone by managerial errors.

Liam Bullworth had a goal ruled out for offside and Tom Lowry was sent off for two bookable offences, before Towanda Masoanhase doubled Motherwell’s lead.

“The offside goal wasn’t what killed us today, but it’s very marginal,” McCann said. “It seems like a guess.

“We have another place where it seems [Polworth] He is just on Tom Sparrow’s shoulder.

“What hurt us was the red card. I was told the first one [yellow] reckless. I can’t see anything reckless at all. It’s a very bad decision, because it puts the combative midfielder on a tightrope. I thought the second one was soft too.

“When we get to 10 men on each side, it will be difficult.”