George Stanger has heaped praise on manager Neil McCann, crediting his infectious belief as the driving force behind Kilmarnock's remarkable turnaround. When McCann took the reins in January, Killie were languishing second bottom of the table, mired in a 14-game winless streak that had fans fearing the worst. Fast forward to now, and the team sits four points clear of 11th-placed St Mirren with just two games remaining—a stunning reversal that has them on the verge of securing Premiership safety.

Speaking ahead of tonight's clash with Dundee, Stanger opened up about the impact McCann has had on the squad. "He came in during a tough period, and from day one, he was all about belief—that he believed in us as players and as a squad," the defender explained. "When he talks to me, you really feel that belief. Sometimes people say things, but you don't always buy into it. With him, I do, and it's the same for everyone. You can tell he genuinely trusts us, and that makes a huge difference."

That confidence was on full display last weekend, as Kilmarnock delivered a dominant 3-0 victory over St Mirren—a result that Stanger admits has eased the tension slightly. "I think we'd be lying if we said there wasn't a bit of pressure off after Saturday. That game had so much riding on it—every match feels like a six-pointer now, and that one especially," he said. "But we can't afford to relax. We're fully focused on Dundee, and I don't care what happens at Pittodrie [where St Mirren face Aberdeen]. That's out of our control. The only thing we can control is our performance, and that's the message in the dressing room."

For fans and neutrals alike, this is a classic tale of resilience—a team that looked down and out rediscovering its fire under a manager who knows how to inspire. With two games left to seal the deal, Kilmarnock's fate is in their own hands, and the belief Stanger talks about could be the difference between survival and heartbreak.