Matty Kennedy first game for "Killie" in a 2–1 win over St Mirren at Rugby Park on 2 January 2012. He ended the 2011–12 campaign with 11 Scottish Premier League appearances. He played three games at the start of the 2012–13 season before leaving the club; manager Kenny Shiels expressed his concern that Kennedy had left Kilmarnock too soon and he had missed out on seeing Kennedy's "proper development" at the club. On 31 August 2012, the final day of the summer transfer window, Kennedy signed for English Premier League side Everton for a "nominal fee". The fee was later revealed to
Dean Shiels to join Rangers. He scored a goal, as well as, setting up two goals in his first appearance, in a Scottish League Cup tie against East Fife on 7 August. A week after he sustained an injury during a match which ruled him out for weeks, On 2 September 2012, Shiels scored his first league goal, as well as setting up a goal, in a 5–1 win over Elgin City. After scoring two goals in three games, Shiels scored against the Scottish Premier League side Motherwell, in a Scottish League Cup tie. Then, in the Scottish Cup, Shiels scored twice