Kenny Shiels guide Killie to the League Cup semi-finals, beating rivals Ayr United. Despite the win, Shiels criticised rival team tactics, believing the club should have done more. On 18 February 2012, Kilmarnock beat Rangers 1–0, with Shiels' son Dean scoring in the 12th minute, making him the first Kilmarnock manager to beat Rangers twice in one season. After the match, Shiels said a win over Rangers was dedicated to the club's supporters and praised his son, who scored the only goal in the match, for his performance as "outstanding". On 18 March 2012, Shiels' Kilmarnock side travelled to Hampden Park for
Mark McWalter by Partick McWalter moved to the Irish Football League with Coleraine and became a 'cult hero' at the club. He was linked with the manager's job after the departure of Felix Healy in 1994 but lost out to Kenny Shiels, a manager with whom he would later clash, resulting in McWalter moving to Ballymena United for a year. He was the club's top scorer in his sole season. McWalter returned to Scotland in 1996 to play three final seasons back at Gayfield Park. Unable to cope with the rigours of full-time football due a persistent knee injury McWalter left full-time