Hibs end Clarke’s fine start to move third

Home debut spoiled as Lennon’s side leapfrog Rangers

KILMARNOCK 0 HIBERNIAN 3

Hibernian ruined Steve Clarke’s first home game as Kilmarnock manager and moved into third place in the Ladbrokes Premiership with a 3-0 victory.

Goals from John McGinn, Simon Murray and Martin Boyle earned Hibs a third consecutive win.

Clarke had guided Killie to draws at Ibrox and Celtic Park in his first two games in charge after watching them win at Partick Thistle, and their displays in Glasgow and enthusiasm over his appointment helped attract a crowd of 5,005 – more than 1,500 up on their previous home game.

But Clarke’s early impact did not stretch to an upturn in home results, although Rory McKenzie and Kris Boyd, twice, hit the woodwork for the hosts, who were given a warm reception for their efforts.

Killie have now taken two points from a possible 21 this season at Rugby Park.

The home crowd’s optimism was dented in the 10th minute when Boyle laid the ball back for David Gray to whip a pinpoint cross on to the head of McGinn who scored from six yards out.

The tables were soon turned when McGinn’s corner found Gray, who was in for the absent Steven Whittaker, completely unmarked at the back post. But Jamie MacDonald blocked the rightback’s header with his feet.

Killie pushed forward and went close on a number of occasions before Hibs carved them open again on the hour mark. McGinn flighted a ball over the top of the home defence and Gray sent an inviting first-time ball across the face of goal for Murray to knock home.

Boyle netted the third when he raced through the heart of the home defence to score in stoppage-time.

Picture: SNS Group. Simon Murray turns away to celebrate after making it 2-0 for Hibs.