THINGS WE LEARNED
This was not a performance from Killie that characterised a side languishing in the bottom reaches of the table. They were creative, brave and energetic as Steve Clarke makes his managerial presence felt. On this showing, they won’t be down for long. Three league wins in a row for Hibs and that will breed the type of confidence that strengthens the pre-season claims of many they can be Euro challengers. The only games that should be played on plastic are Twister, preferably naked with Kelly Brook. This Rugby Park pitch is still not player friendly, with too many slips and stumbles making top level performers look silly.
KILLIE HIBS
BRITAIN crowned its best amateur baker last night but there was no Hollywood ending for Steve Clarke at Rugby Park.
The new Killie boss took charge of his first home game but it was Hibs who rose to the occasion as they moved third in the Premiership.
This was the first time in almost four years the Easter Road club have won three on the trot in the top flight and they’ve rarely worked harder for a win.
On another Hallowe’en night, results like this would have had Killie fans baying for blood but they were hugely encouraged by the performance.
Clarke would not have been impressed with the manner in which his side conceded in each half, giving up goals to John McGinn and Simon Murray far too easily.
Martin Boyle ran through another weak tackle in injury time, this time from Gordon Greer, to gallop on and slide the third under Jamie MacDonald for a scoreline that flattered the visitors.
Had it not been for Ofir Marciano between the sticks, Kilmarnock would surely have taken something.
They also hit the woodwork three times, including a last-minute strike from Kris Boyd, but Hibs deserve credit for the way they battled to preserve a clean sheet.
Killie were applauded off – despite their defeat. And Clarke said: “After the game it is difficult to find positives but I’m sure I will see some when I Iook back at the video.
“Hitting the woodwork doesn’t get you goals but we created plenty of chances. One another night we would have got it back to 1-1 and got something out the game.
“The fans were terrific and the fact most of them stayed to the end to clap the team off is a measure of how hard the lads tried.”
Clarke was given a rapturous reception before the game and his team responded with a high-energy start but it all fell flat after just 10 minutes.
It was a poor goal to concede as David Gray made space on the right to float over a cross and McGinn stole in unmarked to nod home.
McGinn returned the favour eight minutes later with an in-swinging corner that dropped to Gray at the back post. He dropped to his knees and met the ball unchallenged but his header bounced off the base of the post.
Killie’s defending in Clarke’s first two matches in charge, against Rangers and Celtic, had been watertight and their sloppiness this time was inexplicable.
At the other end, they also struggled to make a chance of note until Jordan Jones took charge.
The flying machine broke away at speed on the counter and Efe Ambrose slipped on the artificial surface but Lewis Stevenson matched the winger and made a brilliant tackle.
Killie began to grow in confidence and Rory McKenzie cracked a shot off the post from 25 yards as the fans responded warmly, not an observation you could always make about the Rugby Park crowd in recent seasons.
They were lapping up the tempo and industry at which their team were playing and Killie were unlucky not to level on 32 minutes through warhorse Kris Boyd.
Chris Burke started the move and cut inside on the left to play a pass to the feet of Greg Taylor, who swivelled brilliantly off his marker inside the box.
His left-foot cross was met by Boyd but his header bounced off the