Neil McCann names Kilmarnock XI for Glentoran friendly
Neil McCann has named Kilmarnock's first pre-season starting XI for Wednesday's Glentoran Kilmarnock friendly at The Oval in Belfast, with Max Stryjek in goal and a front two of Joe Hugill and Cole Coughlin. The 1pm kick-off is a final sharpener for both sides before Killie's Premier Sports Cup campaign and Glentoran's UEFA Conference League tie against RFS.
Key Takeaways
- Neil McCann named Kilmarnock's first pre-season starting XI for the Glentoran friendly at The Oval, Belfast, with a 1pm kick-off on Wednesday, July 1.
- Killie's lineup features Max Stryjek in goal and a front two of Joe Hugill and Cole Coughlin as Neil McCann's side builds toward the Premier Sports Cup on July 14.
- Glentoran defender Daniel Larmour called the Scottish Premiership test vital before the Glens host RFS in Conference League qualifying on July 9.
- Kilmarnock have been training in Northern Ireland since Sunday night, with a second friendly against Linfield at Windsor Park on Saturday, July 4.
- Glentoran's pre-season schedule continues with a trip to Dundela on Saturday before their first European match in two years.
Who is in Kilmarnock's starting XI against Glentoran?
According to Kilmarnock Football Club, Neil McCann has selected his first starting lineup of pre-season 2026 for the away friendly at The Oval. Max Stryjek starts in goal, with Michael Schjønning-Larsen, Ethan Schilte-Brown, Robbie Deas and Euan Bowie in defence.
Ruari Ellis anchors midfield, supported by Mark O'Hara and Nicky Cleșcenco behind Greg Kiltie. Joe Hugill and Cole Coughlin lead the line. The substitutes named are Ferrie, Thompson, McKenzie, John-Jules, Stanger, Lowery, Thomson, Mathurin, Brannan, Owen and Brown.
Why does the Glentoran Kilmarnock friendly matter?
For Kilmarnock, the trip to Belfast is about getting competitive minutes into players' legs and building on-pitch relationships ahead of the Premier Sports Cup group stage, which begins on Tuesday, July 14. Killie arrived in Northern Ireland on Sunday night and have trained intensively over the previous 48 hours.
For Glentoran, the fixture is the toughest test yet in a pre-season that has already included Caernarfon Town, The New Saints and East Belfast. Defender Daniel Larmour told Glentoran's official site that facing a Scottish Premiership opponent is exactly the challenge needed before UEFA Conference League qualifying kicks off next week.
What comes next for Glentoran and Kilmarnock?
Glentoran face RFS in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, with the first leg at The BetMcLean Oval on July 9 and the return in Riga a week later. Larmour said the Glens want to add to the club's European history and will need to be at their best across both legs to reach the second round.
Kilmarnock's Northern Ireland stay continues with a friendly against Linfield at Windsor Park on Saturday, July 4, also at 1pm. Glentoran conclude their warm-up schedule with a visit to Wilgar Park to face Dundela on the same day before turning their full attention to continental competition.
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