Kilmarnock

Watch all the highlights as Hibs score three past Kilmarnock.

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 3-0 defeat by Hibernian on Saturday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Jim: Same old problems. Losing soft goals and don't have the front men that can score on a regular basis. Liam Polworth and Brad Lyons are poor. David Watson is not interested, Marley Watkins can't score, Bruce Anderson can't score. Formation should have been changed as soon as the second goal went in.

Iain: Seems as if the players are thinking it's OK, we will get through the play-offs so these games don't matter. Do enough to show they are willing but not put in 100%. Are they really willing to risk the play offs?

Robert: Defensive failure once again down to mental weakness, then the inability to score, keep this up and it's the play-off.

John: Back to old Killie, all positive thoughts knocked out of us, we will just need to play in play-off final. Hope it's Partick Thistle and not Dunfermline.

Bill: Back to costly defensive lapses; toothless in attack; lost more than half our matches; won only one match in five; huge goal deficit! It's clear this squad is not fit for the Premiership. Board needs to recognise this and install an appropriate management team and with them recruit a squad with Premiership quality, though it looks more and more that we will spend next year, at least, in the Championship.

Image source, SNS

Owen Elding's goal after just 13 seconds helped Hibernian ease to victory over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership and strengthen their push for European football.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "It was just the worst possible start you could have coming here. We stabilised, but losing such an early goal rocked us, spooked us, and lifted Hibs.

"We were a wee bit rattled and that's when you're looking for a wee bit of leadership to settle things down. After that initial period, we were the better side throughout the match.

"The start kills us, and they score right at the death to compound the misery. But we probably didn't deserve anything from the game because of our quality.

"When we got into the right areas, we didn't have any quality in the final third and that's what makes the final difference.

"I don't care about results elsewhere. I'm more focused on our result, that's the most important thing. We'll look to bounce back.

"Starting a game like that is not acceptable, let the fans down today, and ourselves."

Image source, SNS

Hibernian hope to have Rocky Bushiri involved after a delayed return from qualifying for the World Cup with DR Congo in Mexico.

Felix Passlack, Miguel Chaiwa and Owen Elding have shaken off knocks, but Rudi Molotnikov and Josh Mulligan (both ankle) are unavailable.

Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann has no new injury concerns. Tyreece John-Jules (quad), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

Samuel Ukah
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Robbie Deas says Kilmarnock players "needed a telling off" to help turn around their form this season.

Killie travel to face Hibs on Saturday with the chance to exit the relegation play-off spot following their back-to-back wins over Livingston and table-toppers Hearts before the international break.

Defender Deas attributes Neil McCann's appointment as a key reason for the club's recent upturn.

"We needed a telling off as well. It's not been good enough," he said.

"I was lucky enough to work with the gaffer and both Doddsy [Billy Dodds, assistant] before in the past. They know what I was like as a player and they spoke to me in detail.

"He's restored a lot of belief in the boys. A lot of confidence was lost, especially in that run that we went on.

"I think you can feel that around the place on a Saturday when the game is finished, against Hearts and against Livingston. There's a lot of big lift about the place and that's down to the players, down to the staff and the coaching team."

Killie are 11th - level on points with St Mirren and three behind Aberdeen, with the pair facing off against each other this weekend. However, the defender is only concentrating on his own side.

"It's completely focused on us and who we're playing and that's this Saturday against Hibs," he said.

"It's Scottish football for you, it's difficult. There's no point in worrying about other results, it's only in our hands.

"We've got ourselves in a situation that's not good and our full focus is each game at hand and getting points on the table to get this club safe.

"But I think we need to put on edge as well. We're not shying away from the situation we're in, but we've got belief that we can complete the job at hand.

"I think you can see that in the last two performances, but we need to take that into Saturday."

Image source, SNS

• Hibs have only lost one of their past 16 Scottish Premiership games against Kilmarnock (W9 D6) and are unbeaten in nine (W4 D5) since a 1-0 loss in November 2022.

• Kilmarnock have won their past two league games and could win three in a row for the first time since May 2025. However, Killie remain winless in 12 away league outings (D4 L8).

• Hibs are on a run of three successive draws, with their past two ending 0-0. The last side to play out three consecutive goalless draws in the Premiership were Hibs themselves in March 2022.

• Kilmarnock are winless in 12 Premiership trips to Easter Road (D4 L8) since winning 1-0 in May 2014.

• Only Dundee (17.3) have a higher PPDA (opposition passes allowed per defensive action) than both Hibs (14.0) and Kilmarnock (13.6) in the top flight this season.

Image source, SNS

Neil McCann says Kilmarnock are in a "really good groove" for the return to Premiership action after eliminating the fear factor in their survival battle.

Killie head to Hibs on Saturday bidding to extend their winning streak after beating Hearts 1-0 and Livingston 2-0 before the international break to secure back-to-back league wins for only the second time this season.

With seven fixtures remaining, Killie are in the relegation play-off spot behind St Mirren but only on goal difference, and three points behind Aberdeen, with Livi 12 points adrift.

McCann, who took charge in January amid a 14-game winless run, knows his side can't let up as they strive for safety.

He said: "I'm aware of it, clearly, I have to be aware of it, but just looking at where we are now, I think we're just in a really good groove in terms of how we're feeling about ourselves and the way we want to play.

"We'll probably have another wee meeting today actually, just in fine-tuning because I still think we can get much better.

"But I think we've found a good place where we're defensively structured but still retaining a real good threat. I'm hoping that the fans are enjoying what they're seeing just now.

"I think where we are right now is that we always wanted to make sure we're in the fight here.

"I think the biggest thing for me coming in here with Billy [Dodds, assistant] was to eliminate the fear that maybe was existing.

"Fear is maybe the wrong word, apprehension may be a better word to use, and just let the boys get back to enjoying their football, being brave because being brave is going to get results and we've started that but we've got so much work to do.

"We're nowhere near where we want to be and Saturday is just going to be another example of how hard it's going to be for us this season."

Image source, SNS

Celtic and Rangers could face competition from Bologna for David Watson, the 21-year-old midfielder who is out of contract at Kilmarnock in the summer. (Il Resto di Carlino - in Italian), external

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

I'm very much a club before country fan so these international breaks are just a distraction before we get back to the real stuff.

It's all the worse when the break is for friendlies where Scotland are generally poor and they erode our positivity prior to the World Cup. Thankfully, Killie are back in business this weekend and a good number of fans will make the trip to Easter Road on Saturday.

Our record on the other side of Edinburgh is excellent, however Killie do not have a great record against Hibernian. We fought out an entertaining draw earlier in the season and a repeat result would be decent again this time around.

We only have half-a-dozen games left after this so there is no room for below-par performances when points are at a premium. We have every chance of coming away with a result if our defence can continue their mean spirit shown in the past two games, I'll predict a 1-1 draw.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Image source, SNS

Squad newcomer Findlay Curtis offers "something a little bit different" to Scotland, says head coach Steve Clarke.

Winger Curtis, who has impressed since joining Kilmarnock on loan from Rangers in January, is in contention to make his Scotland debut in Saturday's Hampden friendly with Japan.

Clarke, who admitted his team selection might "raise an eyebrow a little bit", insists 19-year-old Curtis is not just a player for the future.

"If he's in the squad he's for right now," said Clarke. "I've got a really good rapport with Finlay, obviously I've watched him, but I knew what he could bring.

"He's a really young boy, so he's equipped himself well in training. Is he one of a different sort of profile, especially with Ben [Gannon-Doak] out injured right now, can he add an injection of pace to the side?

"He brings something a little bit different. People always tell me I don't look for different things.

"Again, I think the young boys are important for the future."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Could Bruce Anderson step up for Kilmarnock in the absence of Tyreece John-Jules?

Striker John-Jules, who netted eight goals in 18 league outings, had his impressive campaign abruptly ended by a quad injury in late February.

Killie are currently 11th in the table, 12 points above Livingston and level with St Mirren. Aberdeen in ninth are only thee points ahead of Neil McCann's men.

Killie have won - and kept a clean sheet - in their past two Premiership games and are aiming to continue that form to avoid a relegation play-off.

Could Anderson be the man to help them do that?

The former Livingston striker last featured for Killie in their 5-1 defeat at Falkirk last month and has started just one of their past five league matches. The 27-year-old was an unused substitute in the wins over leaders Hearts and bottom side Livi.

McCann has favoured ex-Man United striker Joe Hugill alongside players like Marley Watkins and Greg Kiltie in John-Jules' absence. But Anderson's numbers for this season look good.

Only John-Jules has netted more goals than Anderson (four) in the top flight and is also the only player who has attempted more shots (Anderson 38, John-Jules 47).

Anderson has found himself with 13 big chances this term, the most of any Killie player, although he has only converted two.

His expected goals (xG) of 5.4 is also the highest at Killie while his five shots from-set pieces is the most in the squad and among the highest of any team in the division.

If McCann can get Anderson firing, he could be a major help in Kilmarnock's fight for survival.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Killie head into the international break in good spirits having completed back-to-back victories over Hearts and basement-dwelling Livingston.

The key to those wins is a much more stable defence - two clean sheets on the bounce has been the foundation for accruing six points.

It would be fair to say the management team of Neil McCann and Billy Dodds have not received the praise thus far their efforts have merited.

Stuart Kettlewell built a squad that had Championship written all over it and fans' spirits were at an all-time low after we lost meekly at Pittodrie in December.

After a few more weeks of poor results McCann was announced as the man to save us, although he initially received a lukewarm reception from many fans.

His January signings were encouraging and gradually he is changing the opinions of supporters with the team now playing a pleasing brand of football while picking up wins along the way.

Killie still sit in 11th place however we have momentum that will hopefully carry us to safety and we can then eulogise what a fine job Neil, Billy and the team have done.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Scotland coach Steven Naismith provided an insight as to why Findlay Curtis has been called into the national team squad.

Curtis - on loan from Rangers - scored in Kilmarnock's 2-0 Scottish Premiership win over Livingston on Saturday and Naismith says it is a great example of why he is highly thought of.

In addition, Naismith praised his desire to go out on loan to get regular starts after impressing as a squad player at Ibrox at the start of the campaign.

"This goal is a massive plus of what you see from Findlay Curtis," Naismith said on Sportscene.

"He's broke into Rangers' team, which is tough, and then he's not happy to just be a squad player.

"He gets chances in games, he's got a bit of pace and he commits defenders - these are all things that have caught the eye.

"Your development plateaus if you're not getting minutes, he's taken his opportunities this season."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Raphael Sallinger (Hibernian)

Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers, so three saves and a clean sheet wins it for the Hibs custodian.

RCB: James Tavernier (Rangers)

Can Rangers really afford to lose the goals this right-back gives them every season? Not getting any younger but still delivers, as his free-kick against Aberdeen demonstrated.

CB: Ross Graham (Dundee United)

A lion at the back for United against Celtic. Stifled all the defending champions could throw at him, clean sheet and three points that keep United's slim top-half hopes alive. The perfect riposte to his derby day dejection.

LCB: Liam Donnelly (St Mirren)

The midfielder played on the right of a back three for St Mirren and shone defensively as well as scoring the winner. A big three points away to Falkirk.

RWB: Oisin McEntee (Hearts)

Towering header the decisive moment for Hearts to break the deadlock against Dundee. His physicality and power make him a huge threat at set-pieces.

CM: Marc Leonard (Hearts)

A different kind of midfielder to Cammy Devlin but arrived at the right time to fill the void left by the Australian this season. His delivery for McEntee's vital goal was right on the money.

CM: Emmanuel Agyei (Dundee United)

A robust and dynamic performance from the Ghanaian, topped off with a huge goal.

LWB: Will Ferry (Dundee United)

Normally all about the delivery, but Sunday was all about the finish from Ferry, which opened the scoring against Celtic. Not the cleanest of strikes but it doesn't matter. Remarkably his first United goal.

RW: Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock)

Going to Kilmarnock was the best thing that happened to Steve Clarke, and the same for Curtis. Their paths will now cross in the Scotland camp, and rightly so. Curtis always looked like he had the talent, Kilmarnock are giving him the stage and all parties are benefitting. Scored the second in the big 2-0 win over Livingston.

CF: Joe Hugill (Kilmarnock)

An impressive showing topped with a goal from the former Manchester United youngster, and an assist for Curtis.

LW: Mikey Moore (Rangers)

The 18-year-old clearly had a lot of talent when he arrived at Ibrox, but in recent times he has stepped it up a level and delivered with consistency as Rangers continue their late charge for the title.

Watch Kilmarnock move 12 points clear of Scottish Premiership bottom side Livingston with victory at Rugby Park.

Available in UK only

Kilmarnock fans, we asked you about the important 2-0 win over Livingston at Rugby Park. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Robert: A win's a win. Joe Hugill and Findlay Curtis were exceptional and once again Jamie Brandon, Marley Watkins and Greg Kiltie got top marks. However, the referee was abysmal and had to get VAR to make a decision on a red card that the entire stadium knew was a goal-scoring chance.

James: An excellent performance in a vital game. Killie were worthy winners and were never under any concerted pressure. The two centre-backs, George Stanger & Robbie Deas, completely nullified the Livi strikers allowing the midfield players to create more chances. Hugill and Curtis were both excellent and thoroughly deserved their goals. Three points again and you definitely feel Killie are on the up.

Gazza: Imagine if Killie had jettisoned Stuart Kettlewell earlier. We now look like scoring in every game, Neil McCann and Billy Dodds have created a new Greg Kiltie, in addition to Curtis, Hugill and Tyreece John-Jules. We could be a dark horse next season. Aberdeen are my favourites for play-offs.

Gerry: Two well-worked and well-taken goals, and we maybe could have had another couple. Some strong performances from Hugill, Findlay, and Watkins. Brandon and Stanger have stiffened up the defence since their return. Hopefully, we can keep the momentum going after the break and pick up the points needed to pull clear of 11th place. Seven Cup finals to come.

Alan: Another great performance, not the most flashy, but certainly looking like a team again. Like most people I wasn't sure about McCann but have to say he has totally changed my mind. He is good to listen to for a start, so the players must feel the exact same, unlike the previous manager who waffled on for 15 minutes saying nothing.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

Image source, SNS

If you rocked up at Rugby Park on Saturday, you'd be forgiven for thinking Joe Hugill was a veteran around these parts.

The forward has fit in seamlessly since joining at the end of January and was at the heart of the action in Kilmarnock's huge victory over Livingston.

The 22-year-old opened the scoring with a superb, deft finish before doing the hard yards on the counter to set up Findlay Curtis for a much-needed second.

"It's a great ball from Marley [Watkins]," Hugill told BBC Scotland of his goal.

"He's obviously working the channels in behind, to then get his head up pick me out was great. I got good contact on the ball as well, so it was a great goal."

The former Manchester United youth player added: "I'm loving it up here. I've settled in straight away - the manager, Doddsy, all the lads have been spot on with me.

"I think it's a good working team and I think we've shown that on the pitch as well.

"That all comes from the manager and the coaching staff who are obviously putting the belief in us to play the way we play, and then it's down to us executing the plan.

"It's a massive win today and I'm enjoying it."

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock recorded back-to-back victories in the Scottish Premiership for only the second time this season as they downed bottom side Livingston to leave them 12 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Read the match report here

Have your say on the game here

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann tells BBC Scotland: "It's fantastic. It's another clean sheet. We did brilliantly.

"We scored two fantastic goals. It's a very pleasing three points.

"They're playing with a bit of belief. We defended so well as a group.

"We got our second goal, I didn't think we ever looked in trouble after that.

"I'm so happy for the whole team with getting the result. I'm happy for Findlay Curtis. Scotland call-up, getting the second goal today.

"A lot of people will say we're under pressure but we look like we're handling it now but there's a long way to go."

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann has no new injury concerns. Tyreece John-Jules (quad), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

Livingston pair Joel Nouble and Brooklyn Kabongolo are both doubtful after picking up injuries against Hibs last weekend while Connor McLennan (ankle) is still out but Aidan Denholm is closing in on a return after a long-term hamstring injury.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Findlay Curtis isn't the only Kilmarnock player with a chance of playing at the World Cup finals this year.

While the on loan Rangers forward has been called up to the Scotland squad for the first time, team mate George Stanger has ambitions to represent New Zealand at the finals.

The 25-year-old, whose father played rugby for Scotland, qualifies for the All Whites through his mother.

Stanger was called up to the full international squad for the first time last autumn but has yet to make his debut.

The "Killie Kiwi" was sidelined with injury from December until the start of March but returned last weekend in the 1-0 over Premiership leaders Hearts.

Darren Bazeley though has left Stanger out of his squad for the challenge matches against Finland and Chile.

"After the game I got a text from the New Zealand manager right away to congratulate me being back on the team and on a good result," Stanger said.

"I've had quite regular dialogue with him about things.

"He phoned me last week to let me know that I wouldn't be in the squad for the coming couple of matches due to my lack of minutes."

But Stanger, who joined Killie in the summer from local rivals Ayr United, says he can force his way back into international reckoning with good performances in Killie's battle to avoid relegation.

"The only way I'm going to get myself involved is to be doing well here and to help Killie stay up this season," he said.

"With the World Cup in mind my main focus is here, because that's the only thing that's going to help me get to that is performing here and doing well here.

"It would be an amazing experience to be involved in that, it's something as a player I've always dreamed of but my full focus on helping Kilmarnock stay up this season."